Saturday Reviews
St Paul’s School v Shiplake College
A rerun of last year’s Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup final, it was Shiplake who had pushed out to a canvas by the end of the Island, despite St Paul’s rating high as they pushed up to 50 strokes a minute. By the Barrier, Shiplake had settled into their rhythm and had gained a three-quarters of a length lead whilst St Paul’s were still driving it high, pushing rate 40. As the crosswind came in around Fawley, Shiplake lost some of their sharpness, dropping their rate to 33 whilst Paul’s continued tapping it along at 36, allowing them to drag Shiplake from three-quarters of a length to a one-third of a length margin. As the camera came up on the Shiplake crew, you could see the toll the race was starting to have on them as the lead they had etched out off the start had fallen quickly to a closing St Paul’s crew. However, as the race entered its closing stages, it was clear St Paul’s didn’t have much left as they were unable to mount an effective challenge and draw in their competitors. This allowed Shiplake to creep out to a two-thirds-of-a-length lead, cross the line, and put themselves in a position to fight to claim The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup for the first time in their school’s history.
Hampton School v Radley College
Arguably, the race of the day had no more than three feet separating the two crews from the blocks to Remenham. Hampton got out of the stakeboats the fastest, rating 46 and pushing themselves up to a one-foot lead over the boys in red. Radley settled early, taking back the advantage Hampton had found for themselves and drawing the eights level. As the race progressed through the Barrier and Fawley, the crews remained level, both rating 36 as the crosswind stepped up. As the three-quarter Mile approached, Hampton handled it better, squeezing out two feet from their competition and pushing their bows ahead once more. At the One Mile marker, the crews had drawn level once more, but Radley looked more composed, pushing out to half a length before executing a final run into the line, easing over the line and crossing one and a quarter lengths ahead of Hampton and making a final for the first time since 2019.
Final Preview
Shiplake College v Radley College
The first and second place finishers of the National Schools’ Regatta go head to head once more. Shiplake enter as the National Champions, yet both crews had seriously tough races today. Radley is likely more spent as they failed to push ahead until the mile and the eighth marker, staying neck and neck with Hampton throughout their race. Shiplake sat up on St Paul’s for most of the race, yet looked seriously worn out as they entered the last parts of their race. With Radley having raced slightly later, Shiplake would have gained that critical edge to start their recovery ahead of tomorrow’s final. Radley haven’t managed to put their bows ahead of Shiplake once this season, and I think the competition will be too tough for them to beat; therefore, it looks like Shiplake will win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup for the first time in the school’s history. Henley Royal Regatta finals day is always the pinnacle of the rowing season, but add in a chance to witness history being made and you have a recipe for a fantastic day of racing.
