The Draw for the 2024 edition of Henley Royal Regatta has unveiled a thrilling set of match-ups up on opening day as competing crews got their first glimpse of the path to Finals Day on Sunday, 7 July.
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The Draw for the 2024 edition of Henley Royal Regatta has unveiled a thrilling set of match-ups up on opening day as competing crews got their first glimpse of the path to Finals Day on Sunday, 7 July.
In its 185th year, the Regatta boasts a record number of Entries, reflecting the depth and breadth of the competition; featuring many athletes with international pedigrees who view Henley Royal Regatta as an essential victory to add to their portfolio.
“The range of athletes and crews competing on the opening days of the Regatta is indicative of a racing schedule that is not only exciting, but in very good health,” said Sir Steve Redgrave, Chair of the Committee of Management for Henley Royal Regatta. “We are delighted to see so many crews selecting Henley Royal Regatta as one of their cornerstone summer races, including several boats that are headed to the Paris Olympic Games in just a few weeks’ time. Many will view winning a trophy next week as a key part of their preparation.
“We have selected crews based on their performances and also on geography – so as to offer the most compelling racing as the week progresses. With a record overseas Entry in 2024, we want to give athletes competing at Henley Royal Regatta the best possible experience at one of the toughest side-by-side rowing events in the world.”
Zeidler Zone
The Draw held in Henley Town Hall today revealed intense anticipation, particularly among scullers who were selected and spread out in The Diamond Challenge Sculls. With Oliver Zeidler, current World and European Champion in the men’s single scull, competing for his fourth Henley title, many will have hoped to avoid him. Selected on the other side is Jacob Philal, the USA’s representative in the single scull at the Olympic Games, who secured his seat at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. Such is the depth of the field, some Paris-bound scullers have not received a bye to the second round.
Two Islands for the Island
In The Island Challenge Cup for student women’s eights, the Draw has neatly separated the bulk of the international entries, including fast boats from the Netherlands and the USA, and the UK’s domestic favourites from Oxford Brookes. With a completely new line-up to the crew that won in 2023, Brookes arrives at the Regatta with a win at the Henley Women’s Regatta propelling them forward.
A Transatlantic Grand Challenge
The best of the British will meet a crew from either the USA or Canada in the final of The Grand Challenge Cup, in what promises to be one of the races of the Regatta. With the top eights from Oxford Brookes and Leander, plus the US collegiate national champions from the University of Washington all receiving a bye to the semi-finals, it will be development crews from the USA and Canada who will face off on the Friday for the chance of trying to unseat a fearsome Husky outfit.
Total Thames in The Wargrave
For the second year in a row, Thames’ women have qualified four eights into The Wargrave Challenge Cup. With two crews on either side of the Draw, there is a possibility of an all-Thames affair in the semi-finals. However, to make history, they will need to overcome significant international competition, including New Zealand national champions from Avon Rowing Club.
A Wonderful Weekend Awaits
Although Day One will throw up a host of superb races, the weekend looks set to be one of the most intriguing in recent years. In The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, Wycliffe’s ‘A’ crew – who are unbeaten national champions – might well face their ‘B’ boat in the semi-finals, both having received a bye to Thursday. In The Temple Challenge Cup, Harvard’s unbeaten lightweights could meet the defending champions from Oxford Brookes on Saturday, whilst Princeton’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ boats could convene on the other side of the Draw. In The Queen Mother Challenge Cup for open quads, the American and Estonian national boats have been kept apart, potentially leading to a Saturday showdown with the newly-appointed German Olympic quad.
Prince Philip shows its strength
Despite only being introduced in 2021, The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy has quickly become one of the most coveted prizes. With the fastest three American schoolgirl crews competing in 2024 alongside the Australian national champions, the early rounds will promise fierce competition, including a notable match-up between 2023 Semi-Finalists from Winter Park, USA, and St Catherine’s School of Australia.
Three’s a charm
After a tremendous season for both their boys and girl’s squads, Hinksey Sculling School, a community rowing program in Oxfordshire, will have three crews racing at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time. After qualifying their Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup eight yesterday, these nine athletes will join their national title-winning women’s eight and a quad containing two finalists in the Fawley Challenge Cup in the hunt for silverware. If Hinksey were to win either of the school eights events, this would be the first domestic club victory in history.
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