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The view from my Leander breakfast table as Henley 2023 began its fourth day.
17 July 2023
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch continues to chronicle the world’s most famous regatta.
Friday was the semi-finals day for the Wyfold, the Britannia and the Prince Albert. The official website gives all the results and a summary of Friday’s highlights.
The current Henley Bridge was built in 1786 replacing an earlier wooden structure. The earliest record of a bridge at Henley dates to 1232 but there is a disputed claim that there was a span built here before the Roman invasion of 43AD.The University of Texas Crew (The Longhorns) receive some final words from their coach before their Friday heat of the Island (Student W8+).Pre-race, an appropriately attired supporter gives the sign of the Longhorn. Unfortunately for “The Horns”, Oxford Brookes hog-tied them and won by 1 1/3 lengths.Perhaps in an attempt to make the Texans feel at home, the Thames Valley Police formed this posse to keep the peace in the badlands between Leander Club and Temple Island.St Paul’s School on their way to the start to meet Brisbane Boys’ College, Australia, in the Princess Elizabeth (Junior M8+).Numbers 3 and 4 from this year’s victorious Cambridge Blue Boat, Noam Mouelle (stroke) and Seb Benzecry (bow) push off for their heat of the Silver Goblets (Open M2-). They lost to Canadians J. Walkey and J. Cullen by 3 1/2 lengths.In the Prince Philip (Junior W8+), the Americans from Deerfield Academy lead the Australians from St Catherine’s School while being cheered on by two women apparently from the Netherlands. Deerfield won by 1 1/2 lengths.Despite what this picture may suggest, I had the impression that this was not the busiest Henley Friday that I have seen.Freya Keto of Cambridge University (pictured) lost to Grzeskowiak of Canberra Rowing Club, Australia, by 2 3/4 lengths in the Princess Royal (Open W1x).St Paul’s in the process of beating Brisbane Boys’ College by 2 lengths in the Princess Elizabeth.Darla Matthews, stroke of the Thames “A” crew for the Wargrave (Club W8+) prepares for a race against Thames “D”. All four of Thames’ Wargrave entries got to the quarter finals and Thames “A” and “B” met in a semi-final. Spoiler alert: Thames “A” won the final against Leander.By their high standards, it was not a great regatta for Eton. They won two rounds of the Princess Elizabeth (Junior M8+) but lost to St Edward’s School by 1 3/4 lengths on Friday. Here, back in the boat tent, they are pictured in a post-race huddle.Pictured on the right is Schuyler Audley-Williams who rowed at “5” in the Eton crew. Last year I posted a piece titled Floreat Schuyler which noted his journey from a challenging London social housing estate to one the most famous fee-paying schools in the world via the efforts of his parents and of Fulham Reach Boat Club. The story continues, Schuyler now has a place at the prestigious Stanford University in California.Headington School going to the start of their heat of the Prince Philip (Junior W8+). They beat Henley Rowing Club by 1 1/4 lengths.Dymchenko of Rowing Club Baku, Azerbaijan, after beating Deane of Canada by 2 1/2 lengths.Stanford University leading Oxford Brookes University “B” by 1 1/4 lengths at the finish of a heat of the Island (Student W8+).Stripy 1: Abingdon School.Stripy 2: Shiplake College.Stripy 3: Goldie, Cambridge.Some unimpressed local residents watch Leander’s Junior M4x Fawley crew return after beating Hereford Cathedral School by 2 lengths.
Hear The Boat Sing 
Good to see you got my good side
Alister is Stripy 3.