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A picture that symbolises Henley’s second day. While the temperature was moderate, it was good for ducks as there was intermittent light rain. Further, while it is common to have many “processional” races in the early stages of the regatta, Wednesday’s competition had only eight of the eighty-six races with a verdict of less than a boat’s length.
4 July 2024
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch finds puddles on and off the river.
Sir John Betjeman called Henley Regatta “the flowering heart of England’s willow-cooled July.” Unfortunately, no one has told the weather gods of this and yesterday’s official report on the day’s racing described the morning as “slightly overcast and some drizzle”, the afternoon as “overcast with a firm headwind and threatening rain” and the evening as “grey and drizzling.” However, it takes more than a light precipitation to dampen enthusiasm at Henley Royal Regatta (though, if the weather forecast is correct, this belief will be severely tested tomorrow).
The week’s schedule is here, today’s timetable is here, the results here and the regatta’s YouTube Channel has both live and recorded coverage.
A view of the boating area.University College, Dublin, Ireland, lost to the University of Bristol in the Island (Women’s Student Eights) by 3/4 length.An umbrella is the must-have accessory for Henley 2024.As someone who has written a history of the original Shanghai Rowing Club which was founded by European Imperialists in the Chinese port city in 1863, I was interested to see an entry in the Thames Cup (Men’s Club Eights) by the “Shanghai New Rowing Boat Club”, here going afloat for their first race at Henley.Shanghai on their way to the start. Sadly, they were beaten by Der Hamburger und Germania Ruder Club, Germany.In a heat of the Island, Newcastle University beat University of Rhode Island, USA, by 2 1/2 lengths.London Rowing Club in a skiff and Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association in a quad.In the Temple (Men’s Student Eights) Amsterdamsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Nereus ‘B’, Netherlands, beat Oxford Brookes University “C” by 2/3 length.
An elegant looking lady.
A distinguished looking gentleman.Oarsome
Stripy
In a heat of the Princess Elizabeth (Junior Men’s Eights), St Paul’s School rather cheekily “eased oars” over the finish line after beating Westminster School by three lengths.Henley is the only world class regatta where you can meet a friendly red dinosaur at the finish. Westminster seemed nonplussed. Wrapped up in an umpire’s launch. Picture: Benedict Tufnell.Brolly 1
Brolly 2
Brolly 3Leander beating Henley Rowing Club and Drammen Roklubb, Norway, in a heat of the Visitors (Intermediate Men’s Coxless Fours).B.A.G. Poll, Utrechtsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Triton, Netherlands, who lost to J.D. Free, Surfers Paradise Rowing Club, Australia, in a heat of the Diamonds (Open Men’s Single Sculls).Thames Rowing Club ‘C’ who beat City of Bristol Rowing Club by two lengths in a heat of the Wargrave (Women’s Club Eights).Edinburgh University ‘B’ beat the University of Iowa, USA, in the Island (Women’s Student Eights) by 1 1/4 lengths.With Italian style, M. Goretti of Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Canottieri Moto Guzzi, Italy, had the only wooden boat in the regatta. See Staempfli’s wooden boat building process on its Instagram page, @staempfliboats. This caption has been modified in response to the comments below.Y. Lyu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, beating Goretti in a heat of the Diamonds.Lyu has time to catch my eye.Goretti and his splendid craft.S.R. Mckay, Grosvenor Rowing Club (right) leading P.L. Otto, Kölner Ruderverein von 1877 e.V., Germany (left), in a heat of the Princess Royal (Women’s Open Single Sculls). A long view of perhaps the world’s most famous rowing course.
If you get a good photo of the “Lyn D. Wylder” W4X racing in the Princess Margret cup, we would love to see it.
The boat was named in honor of my wife, Lyn Wylder, by USRowing in recognition of her winning the 2024 Jack Franklin award. She is just the fifth woman to win the award which is given annual in recognition of lifetime commitment and contributions to the sport. She was a five time Chief referee for the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championship, she has been on the jury to two World Rowing senior championships as well as U23, Juniors and a host of other events. Along the way she was a member of the Atlanta Rowing Club, Riverside Boat club and a current member of Station L Rowing Club here in Portland, Oregon.
I believe that the Staempfli single scull is not veneered (as I understand it, like a Carl Douglas hull), but is actually a solid timber skin in a more traditional method.
Thanks trophyoars, your right. We still build the single sculls in Switzerland in the traditional way, where we bend the 2mm thin timberplanks over the moulds. You can watch the process of production on our Instagram page @staempfliboats.
Hear The Boat Sing 
If you get a good photo of the “Lyn D. Wylder” W4X racing in the Princess Margret cup, we would love to see it.
The boat was named in honor of my wife, Lyn Wylder, by USRowing in recognition of her winning the 2024 Jack Franklin award. She is just the fifth woman to win the award which is given annual in recognition of lifetime commitment and contributions to the sport. She was a five time Chief referee for the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championship, she has been on the jury to two World Rowing senior championships as well as U23, Juniors and a host of other events. Along the way she was a member of the Atlanta Rowing Club, Riverside Boat club and a current member of Station L Rowing Club here in Portland, Oregon.
Thanks
John Wylder
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I believe that the Staempfli single scull is not veneered (as I understand it, like a Carl Douglas hull), but is actually a solid timber skin in a more traditional method.
Thanks trophyoars, your right. We still build the single sculls in Switzerland in the traditional way, where we bend the 2mm thin timberplanks over the moulds. You can watch the process of production on our Instagram page @staempfliboats.