Jul 7, 2015HTBS

Henley Finals Part 1, Open Events: Grossbritannien über alles, Grexit in the Stewards’

Pic 1. The figure of the Winged Goddess of Victory on Henley’s Thames Cup (not sponsored by Nike).
The figure of the Winged Goddess of Victory on Henley’s Thames Cup (not sponsored by Nike).

Tim Koch writes:

Splendid video coverage of the finals is in the Henley YouTube Channel, as are the highlights of the previous four days.

Grand Challenge Cup (M8+):  Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club beat Hansa Dortmund, Germany, 2 3/4 lengths.

The much anticipated clash between the Germans, who won the European title in May, and the British, who won at the recent World Cup, did not prove to be the close race than many had expected. The Brits had a fast start, found their rhythm and made their move early, built up a big lead and powered home. Their next clash will be at the Lucerne World Cup in a few days time and the manner of their victory will be a big boost to the British.

Pic 2. As the indicator boards show, clear water was established early in the race.
As the indicator boards show, clear water was established early in the race.
Pic 3. Passing the progress board, ten strokes from the finish.
Passing the progress board, ten strokes from the finish.
Pic 4. Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club a.k.a. the GB Eight. The blazers are, from left to right, Phelan Hill - London Rowing Club, Will Satch - Top Shop?*, George Nash - Cambridge Archetypals, Alex Gregory - Marks & Spencer?*, Moe Sbihi - Team GB 2012 Blazer, Paul Bennett - University of London Purple, Pete Reed - Blue No. 1 dress, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, Stan Louloudis - Oxford Blue, Matt Gotrel - Nottingham Rowing Club. * Plus Leander tie.
Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club a.k.a. the GB Eight. The blazers are, from left to right, Phelan Hill – London Rowing Club, Will Satch – Top Shop?*, George Nash – Cambridge Archetypals, Alex Gregory – Marks & Spencer?*, Moe Sbihi – Team GB 2012 Blazer, Paul Bennett – University of London Purple, Pete Reed – Blue No. 1 dress, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, Stan Louloudis – Oxford Blue, Matt Gotrel – Nottingham Rowing Club. * Plus Leander tie.

Remenham Challenge Cup (W8+): Western Rowing Club, Canada, beat Leander and Imperial College, London by 2 3/4 lengths.

An impressive performance from the Canadian National Crew who saw off the British challenge before half way. Daniel Spring (a.k.a. ‘Fatsculler’) thinks that it is time for an Intermediate Eights event for women – a ‘Gentlemen’s’ Plate’.

Pic 5. If Hollywood had to cast a crew of impossibly athletic women, they would look something like this.
If Hollywood had to cast a crew of impossibly athletic women, they would look something like this.
Pic 6. ‘Where are they?’
‘Where are they?’
Pic 7. Victory smiles.
Victory smiles.

Stewards Challenge Cup (M4-): Leander Club and University of London beat Nautical Club of Ioannina and Nautical Club of Kastoria, Greece by 2 lengths.

Credit to the Greeks for even getting to Henley. The borrowed a boat and blades and their rowing federation cannot afford to send them onto Lucerne despite the fact that they were silver medallists at the European Championships.

Pic 8. At the finish.
At the finish.
Pic 9. Trophy fun.
Trophy fun.

The Queen Mother Challenge Cup (M4x): Leander Club and Agecroft Rowing Club beat Rostocker Ruder-Club and Potsdamer Ruder-Gesellschaft, Germany by five lengths.

As has been the case for a while, the QM attracted few entries – only two this year.

Pic 10. The heat – and the final.
The heat – and the final.
Pic 11. Nice selection of blazers.
Nice selection of blazers.

The Princess Grace Challenge Cup (W4x): Imperial College London and Tees Rowing Club beat Molesey Boat Club, easily.

IC and Tees are a GB Squad crew – so no surprises at their win.

Pic 12. Fizz provided by Leander President, Jeremy ‘Rass’ Randall.
Fizz provided by Leander President, Jeremy ‘Rass’ Randall.
Pic 13. The defeated Molesey – no fizz but lots of hugs.
The defeated Molesey – no fizz but lots of hugs.

The Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup (M2-): J.C. Foad & M.K. Langridge (Molesey Boat Club and Leander Club) beat O.R.G. Cook & S.G. Innes (University of London and Leander Club) by five lengths.

A win despite some interesting steering from Langridge.

Pic 14. Easily.
Easily.
Pic 15. They get to keep the silver goblets.
They get to keep the silver goblets.

The Double Sculls Challenge Cup (M2x): J.E. Collins & J.F.L. Walton (Leander Club) beat J.M. Thompson & J.E. Smith (University of Pretoria, South Africa) by 2 1/3 lengths.

John Collins and Jonny Walton were pushed in the early stages by the South African lightweight crew, both London 2012 gold medallists in the lightweight four – but the heavier pair eventually took control.

Pic 16. At the Mile and 1/8.
At the Mile and 1/8.
Pic 17. Collins and Walton at the finish.
Collins and Walton at the finish.

The Diamond Challenge Sculls (M1x): A.M.O. Drysdale (West End Rowing Club, New Zealand) beat G. Csepregi (Danubius Nemzeti Hajós Egylet, Hungary) by five lengths.

A fifth Diamonds win for Drysdale, a result never in doubt when Alan Campbell withdrew to concentrate on Lucerne.

Pic 18. Drysdale returns from the finish, passing one of Henley’s deprived areas.
Drysdale returns from the finish, passing one of Henley’s deprived areas.

The Princess Royal Challenge Cup (W1x): M. Knapkova (V.K. Slavia Praha, Czech Republic) beat L.I. Scheenaard (Hollandia Roeiclub, Holland) by 2 3/4 lengths.

No surprises – a fifth win for Knapkova.

Pic 19. The best of the best.
The best of the best.
Pic 20. Knapkova and Drysdale.
Knapkova and Drysdale.

And finally….

Pic 21. Practising for my comeback (though, technically, to ‘come back’ you have had to be somewhere in the first place).
Practising for my comeback (though, technically, to ‘come back’ you have had to be somewhere in the first place).

Part 2 will be the Intermediate and Club Men’s results, Part 3 will be Student Men and Juniors.

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