Henley Regatta 2026: Day 1 – mixed results for local crews

Henley Royal Regatta 2026 got underway today with a packed schedule of racing that saw 5 local crews take to the water. With conditions warm but fair with a slight headwind, racing results were mixed, with some comfortable wins and some heavy losses in what is described as the pinnacle event of the rowing season.

The first local race of the day was just before lunch, in The Thames Challenge Cup. Leander’s O8+ crew rowed out comfortable winners with a 5 length win against Vesta Rowing Club ‘B’.

Shiplake College saw mixed results, as the girls crew were beaten easily in The Diamond Jubilee Cup by Headington School ‘A’. Ahead of the boys race, Ben Hunt-Davis, Olympic medalist and parent of son Luca, said: “Racing later in the day is tough – for the crews but also for the parents and supporters, as you are nervously waiting. All the crews train really, really hard and this event is the focus of their year. Everyone puts their heart and soul into it but as defending champions, the pressure is on.” With a blistering start in The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, the O8+ boys were quickly ahead and in clear water. Able to ease into a comfortable stroke pattern, the young crew cruised to an easy win against their qualifying challengers King’s School Chester.

Henley Rowing club’s Women’s 8, who have been plagued by illness and injury all season and were yet to compete together prior to this regatta, got off to a flying start with a comfortable win, by 3 lengths, in the The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, against Godolphin & Latymer School.

Upper Thames also struggled as they were knocked out of The Wyfold Challenge Cup by Quintin Boat Club in the 68th race of the day, losing by 1.5 lengths.

With 862 entries from 21 different nations, it’s no wonder Henley is a buzz with activity and life. Programme scheduling hit fever pitch as the last few events results came in, meaning Lynn Danby and her colleague in the results tent were working hard as they set, double and tripple checked the racing schedule for Wednesday’s racing.

Don’t forget, if you want to watch live, coverage can be followed on youtube through the regatta website.