6 July 2024

By Tim Koch

Tim Koch is afloat on land. 

In a quote commonly misattributed to Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner observed that Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. This was certainly the case at Henley on Friday, a failure, I feel, on the part of both the Stewards and of the new Labour Government. 

However, while rain did not stop play at the Royal Regatta, the precipitation, coupled with my hosting guests, did limit my photographic efforts. As finals day approaches, I have also included (in italics) some summaries produced by the regatta press office of some of the best races (though the text will rarely match the pictures).

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.

The Morning Session. Conditions: Heavy clouds. Light rain. Flat water.

In a riveting heat of The Town Challenge Cup, the Dutch composite of U.S.R Triton and A.U.S.R Orca took an early lead, extending to ¾ of a length by Fawley. Oxford Brookes University seized the opportunity when the Dutch had steering issues and narrowed the gap to ½ a length at Remenham. By the time they reached the Enclosures, Brookes had taken a slender lead of a canvas, which they held to the Finish, securing victory by a clear length.

A ticket to Finals Day was at stake in The Britannia Challenge Cup race between Royal Chester and Molesey. It was a tightly contested battle for most of the course until Royal Chester surged ahead in the closing stages, winning by just over a length. The Chester crew aspires to make history, as it has been one hundred years since their last triumph at Henley Royal Regatta.

The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup clash between Tideway Scullers & Proteus-Eretes and the Star & Arrow Club was a masterclass in race timing. Up until the mile mark, the Tideway Scullers held the lead but the experience from the locals – who were represented by Olympians including Will Satch and Jack Beaumont – prevailed as they powered through their opponents, clinching a Semi-Final spot by one third of a length.

The Afternoon Session. Conditions: Becoming overcast. Rain.

Keeping their stroke rate high, Eton established a three-feet lead at the Quarter Mile pulling ahead to three quarters of a length by the Barrier in their quarter-final of The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup against The Southport School of Australia. Despite repeated pushes from the Antipodean national medalists, Eton were able to keep them at bay to secure a place in the Semi-Final on Saturday. 

In another epic tussle in The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Shiplake and Radley College took turns to stake a claim for a Saturday slot, with the Radleians leading by nearly a length at the Fawley. Shiplake responded impressively past the Enclosures, rowing through their rivals to clinch a victory of two-thirds of a length. 

Newcastle know all too well the pain they would face if they lost against Durham in this round of The Island Challenge Cup for the second year in a row. Determined to avoid a repeat of history, the Blue Star surged into an early lead that seemed unassailable. However, a resolute Durham crew, intent on retaining Northern bragging rights, matched their effort. Newcastle then showcased remarkable resilience and maturity, ultimately winning by ¾ of a length.

The Evening Session. Conditions: Rain, Rain, Rain.

Both national champions in their respective countries, these two crews were representing their nations in a bid to reach the Semi-Final. For this race in The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, it didn’t take long for the American boat to move three quarters of a length up on the British but after the Barrier, Hinksey began to reduce RowAmerica Rye’s lead, eventually taking them down to a canvas at the Three Quarter Mile. It was at this point that RowAmerica Rye switched gears and once again edged away from Hinksey to secure a place in the Semi-Finals. 

Demonstrating their prowess against the talented Rowing Canada crew, known for their international pedigree, Oxford Brookes made their intentions clear from the outset by winning their heat of The Remenham Challenge Cup. Their victory, though straightforward – leading from the start and winning by clear water – was remarkable for the assured manner in which it was achieved.

The international tussle between Harvard and Nereus in The Temple Challenge Cup led to one of the most nail-biting races of the day. A strong start from the Dutch meant that they took the lead to Fawley, however the crimson contingent rowed through them at Fawley and maintained their lead to claim a victory of two-thirds of a length. 

*For young and non-British readers, this is a play on Things can only get better, the campaign song used in the Labour landslide election of 1997, a victory echoed by their decisive win in the General Election last Thursday.