Jul 15, 2024HTBS

Henley 2024: Student and Junior Finals

After winning the Temple Challenge Cup, Oxford Brookes University (in the background) celebrate with a group hug while, in the foreground, two members of the defeated Princeton University crew console each other with a less joyous embrace.

15 July 2024

By Tim Koch

With Oxford Brookes dominating the student events, Tim Koch finds more Burgundy than Sparkling Wine at the prize giving.

My photographs and captions are matched with the race summaries from the official press release (italicised).

The Fawley Challenge Cup (JM4x)

The Windsor Boys’ School beat Marlow Rowing Club by 2 3/4 lengths, time 6.58. 

Windsor Boys’ School dominated from the start. Marlow pushed themselves and their opponent, but ultimately were outdone by the power and technical bladework of the Windsor Boys’, who won the Cup for the fourth time.

Windsor Boys on the way to the start.
In control.
Another win for the Boys. Marlow had junior quads in both The Fawley and Diamond Jubilee finals.

The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy (JW8+)

Headington School beat RowAmerica Rye, USA, by 2 lengths, time 7.36.

A battle between the first winners of this event and a crew aiming to continue the foreign domination of the past two years, both had a high rate off the start, with Headington taking an early lead of ½ a length to the barrier, which they extended past Fawley and never truly looked like losing. Try as they might, RowAmericaRye could not unseat the local champions.

Headington two lengths up as they approach the finish.
Past generations of Henley Types would have been very surprised if they had known that one day the regatta would witness schoolgirls rowing there, particularly ones with such ability and power.
The Americans fight to the finish.
This was the first British win in the Prince Philip since the event started three years ago.

The Island Challenge Cup (Student W8+)

Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ beat Newcastle University by 2 1/4 lengths, time 7.23.

It was a third victory for Brookes in the four years that The Island Challenge Cup has existed. Entering this race as favourites, Oxford Brookes just proved too fast for the spirited Newcastle crew to catch up.

Newcastle on their way to the start.
Brookes on their way to the finish.
Both crews sharp to the line.

The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (JM8+)

St. Paul’s School beat Shiplake College by 3/4 length, time 6.46.

St. Paul’s led early off the start and maintained the ⅓ length lead at the Quarter Mile to ¾ of a length at the barrier. Although Shiplake reduced the lead slightly at Remenham with a later burst of pace, St. Paul’s never looked like relinquishing their lead.

The progress markers tell the story of the race.
Over the line.
St Paul’s Five and Six.
St Paul’s win their third PE in four years.

The Temple Challenge Cup (Student M8+)

Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ beat Princeton University ‘A’, USA, by 1 length, time 6.25.

Princeton led the race to Fawley, where Brookes began their attack and took the lead, but having steered into Princeton’s station caused the umpire to hold the result. After deliberation, the Brookes’ victory was confirmed.

Fighting along the 2,112-metre course.
Another win for the Burgundy clad ones.
Waiting for the umpire’s white flag.

The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (JW4x)

Wycliffe College ‘A’ beat Marlow Rowing Club by 4 lengths, time 7.51.

Wycliffe have been dominant on the junior women’s sculling scene this season. The girls in purple had a very spritely start and took an expected immediate lead. Wycliffe moved steadily away and never allowed Marlow to get back into the race, despite attempts to push.

At the Progress Board, there are ten strokes left.
Wycliff School’s first Henley Royal Regatta win.
No sparkling wine for the Juniors but the medals will do.

The Prince Albert Challenge Cup (Student M4+)

Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ beat Oxford Brookes University ‘B’ by 4 1/2 lengths, time 7.13.

Brookes’ ‘B’ kept the umpire on their toes as they refused to move into their station from the island until the Quarter Mile. This race on the whole remained unchanged once Brookes ‘A’ had taken the lead. The amount of open water between the crews only increased as the race went on.

The all-Brookes final showed the dominance of the club.
Sweaty hugs between the winners.

A Past Great Rows Past

Seán Drea won the Diamonds three years in a row, 1973-1975, setting a course record in 1975. He was the first Irish rower to win a World Championship medal, a Silver in the 1975 World Championships. A son, Jack, won the Temple with Brookes in 2006.

The Hallmarks of Success

Sir Steve Redgrave speaking at his last regatta prize giving as Chairman. He was accompanied by this year’s prize giver, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the grandson of the sculling great Jack Kelly Senior and the nephew of Jack “Kell” Kelly Junior.
The formal presentations were made from the prize platform. Here, Oliver Zeidler marks his fourth victory in The Diamond Challenge Sculls. Next stop Paris. Picture: @RowingVoice.
After being formally presented, each trophy (accompanied by a Steward guardian) is allowed to be taken into the enclosure for formal and informal pictures with the winners and their friends and family and where the hard-won prizes are subject to much man (and woman) handling.
Proud parents, happy children. St Paul’s with the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Headington with the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy. 
The Brookes haul. They won six events, including four out of the nine events for Eights.
Eventually, each Steward takes their allotted silverware back to the trophy tent. Here, Sir Steve’s successor as Regatta Chairman, Richard Phelps (left), returns the Wargrave Challenge Cup.
An hour before, these trophies were pristine. Now they are stained with tears, sweat, sparkling wine and fingermarks. However, they will be shining again next year…
And the grass will have grown back. However, perhaps in 2025 they will hold the Regatta in the summer?

2 comments

  1. Two observations regarding HRR ‘24:

    Clubs should be allowed only two crews per event and no more.

    From midday Saturday, Berkshire was the station to be on.

    Reply

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