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Victory: Nereus cox Fetter jubilant at the prize giving, her tattered blazer reminding us of the Dutch student tradition of passing on such garments to the next generation of rowers, the jackets uncleaned and unrepaired. The names of previous owners can just be seen embroidered on the inside. Watch the real final of the Temple, the Friday Brookes v Nereus race, here.
Tim Koch writes:
As usual, I have many photographs that I took over the five days of Henley that I did not use in previous posts – but here are a few of them. Further, for great moving images see the selection of ‘highlights’ videos on the Henley YouTube Channel. The broadcasting of the regatta was an unqualified success that managed to satisfactorily combine modern technology with an Edwardian Garden Party. It was best summarised by Martin Cross writing on the British Rowing website:
…. the story of this year’s Regatta was not about the crews, races, or records – although they were part of it. No, it was the fact that the dramas played out on that historic stretch of the Thames, were seen throughout the country, all over the continent and even around the globe. On the 4th of July, Americans were having ‘Henley parties’ in their houses. Dressing in their rowing blazers, or summer dresses, drinking Pimms and watching the Regatta on YouTube. In the Australian evening, Sydney residents were glued to their sets, to see how their crews would fare in the finals. And in Amsterdam, on the Bosbaan, Nico Rienks – arguably Holland’s greatest ever rower – in the company of his Nereus club mates watched his son, Rik, beat Lyon University in the final of the Temple. They – and probably you too – were watching not just because it was the first time in ages that Henley had been televised. But crucially the coverage was revolutionary. It wasn’t ‘just’ the use of the drone – though the view that the drone gave of crews jousting between Fawley and Remenham was sensational. No, it was as much about the vision, energy and raw power that these images conveyed. Undoubtedly, Henley Royal Regatta has raised the bar for how our sport can and should be covered in the 21st-century.
YouTube also shows how television broadcast Henley in 1976. Interestingly, even this relatively primitive coverage is still very engaging.
Defeat: Stanford University, just having lost to Molesey Boat Club in a semi-final of the Princess Grace Challenge Cup. See the race here.Warming Up: London ‘A’ get ready for a Thursday heat of the Thames Cup.Cooling Down. While it is usual to go for a ‘cool down’ row after winning a heat, it is less common to do so after winning a final – when the crew is keen to get back on land and start celebrating. However, when Western Rowing Club of Canada won the Remenham final on Sunday, their veteran cox, seven times Olympian, Lesley Thompson-Willie, remained the true professional and made sure that her girls cooled down properly.Competitors: Not ‘The Scream’ but ‘The Yawn’ from Monahan in the bow of Columbia’s Temple boat on Thursday (I do not think he is bored, stress makes me yawn as well).Competitors: Green Lake’s ‘6’ man Paschino and cox Nelson after losing to Thames, the eventual winners, in a Thursday heat of the Thames Cup.Umpire Matthew Pinsent in the waterproof clothing given to such officials. The blue jacket and white over-trousers maintains the ‘blazer and flannels’ look, even in the rain, a typical Henley touch.Umpire Richard Phelps in a colourful combination; Cambridge cap, Latymer School blazer, Thames RC tie. The silver badge signifies that he is a Steward of the Regatta.From the towpath: Passing a crossing point.From the towpath: Going to the start, passing Remenham Club.From the towpath: Going to the start, sharing a busy river.Spectators: Big hat, small boat.Spectators: Straw hats and deck chairs.Spectators: A drinks party at a most desirable residence with a fine view of the finish line. Why wasn’t I invited?
And finally, my first visit to Henley Royal Regatta was thirty years ago, in 1985. Here are a couple of scanned photographs from that memorable occasion.
A race in the Double Sculls with wooden (or composite) boats – but it looks like the Bucks crew have carbon fibre sculling blades.Like 2015, the 1985 regatta recorded unusually high temperatures. It seems (and I suppose was) a long time ago.
Hear The Boat Sing 