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In a very Henley scene, Shiplake heads for a semi-final of the Prince Philip (Junior Women’s Eights).
6 July 2025
By Tim Koch
On Henley’s penultimate day, Tim Koch has reached the progress board.
Shiplake’s Junior women beat Kinross Wolaroi School, Australia, by 2 1/4 lengths.
In a semi-final of the Britannia (Club Open Coxed Fours) Molesey (pictured) lost to Thames “A” by 4 lengths.
Jurkovic and Jurkovic of the Croatian Rowing Federation beating Cox and Patten, University of Western Australia and West Australian Rowing Club by 2 lengths in a semi-final of the Hambleden (Premier Women’s Pairs).Members of the Dutch student club, Laga, responding to greetings from the photographers’ stand.Laga and Oxford Brookes battle it out in the Temple.Despite vocal Dutch support, Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ beat Delftsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Laga, Netherlands, by 3/4 length in a semi-final of the Temple (Student Open Eights).Saugatuck from Westport, Connecticut, posing for the socials.Edinburgh University beat Newcastle University by 1/3 length in a semi-final of the Prince Albert (Student Open Coxed Fours).
Shorts are not normally allowed in the Stewards’ Enclosure but “recognised national dress” is so the American-Bermudian Cambridge Blue, Dara Alizadeh, can get away with wearing Bermuda Shorts. I am waiting for someone to argue that shorts are also part of Australian national dress.
Hamill and Mason of Waiariki Rowing Club, New Zealand (pictured) beat Jones and Been, Rowing Canada, by 1 1/2 lengths in a semi-final of the Double Sculls (Premier Open Double Sculls).In a semi-final of the Fawley (Junior Open Quad Sculls) Hinksey Sculling School beat Molesey Boat Club by 3/4 length.Famously, Dutch student rowing blazers are passed for one intake of students to the next with cleaning and repair forbidden.The lightweights of Harvard University ‘A’, USA, rowed into a head wind to beat Amsterdamsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Nereus ‘A’, Netherlands, by 1/3 length in a semi-final of the Temple (Student Open Eights).In a semi-final of the Stewards’ (Premier Open Coulees Fours), the Croatian Rowing Federation (pictured) beat Oxford Brookes University and Leander Club by 2 1/2 lengths.The Croatian four, the Sinković brothers (left) and the Lončarić twins (right) pose with Henley Steward, Jamie Koven.The Windsor Boys’ School ‘A’ beat the Tideway Scullers’ School by 1 1/4 lengths in a semi-final of the Fawley (Junior Open Quad Sculls).Anastasiadou and Fitsiou of Nautical Club of Kastoria and Nautical Club of Mavrochori, Greece (pictured), beat Keto and Obukohwo of Thames Rowing Club and Twickenham Rowing Club by 1 1/2 lengths in a semi-final of the Stoner (Premier Women’s Double Sculls).Marlow Rowing Club beat Leander Club and Mercantile Rowing Club, Australia, by 2/3 length in a semi-final of the Prince of Wales (Intermediate Open Quad Sculls).Saturday’s weather was changeable with mild temperatures and light showers.London Rowing Club ‘A’ beat Leander Club by 1 3/4 lengths in a semi-final of the Thames (Club Open Eights).Oxford Brookes goes afloat for their race in the Bridge against Cambridge.In a semi-final of the Bridge (Intermediate Women’s Eights), Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ beat Cambridge University by a Canvas.The new trophy for a new event, The Bridge Challenge Plate.This year’s Cambridge Blue Boat entered not the Temple or the Ladies but the Premier Open Eights event, the Grand, a race usually for crews of internationals, not students. At the Mile, Hollandia Roeiclub, Netherlands, had a slight lead.Throughout the race, the Dutch maintained a lead of between 1/3 and 3/4 of a length. At the finish, Hollandia Roeiclub, Netherlands, beat Cambridge University by 1/3 length.This year, those who had been members of the Stewards’ Enclosure for fifty years or more received a commemorative badge and there were a surprisingly large number on display. This particular one belongs to Kensington RC and Auriol Kensington RC stalwart, Jimmy Pigden who started rowing at the age of 14 in 1954.The biggest upset of the day came in a semi-final of the Diamonds (Premier Open Single Sculls) where Oliver Zeidler of Germany, the 2024 Paris Olympic Champion, raced Finlay Hamill of New Zealand. Starting at a high rate, Zeidler possessed a lead of 2 ½ lengths at the Barrier, but as the race progressed, he looked uncomfortable and Hamill passed him at the Mile.Hamill of Waikato Rowing Club, New Zealand, beat Zeidler of Frankfurter Rudergesellschaft Germania 1869 e.V., Germany by 1 length.Zeidler in defeat.
Hear The Boat Sing 