The Wyfold Challenge Cup – Sydney Rowing Club, AUS v London Rowing Club ‘A’
The drama was alive and well on this final day of the epoch of club rowing. Today, we had the Brits against the Aussies tussling it out for a coveted red box. Prior to setting off, London were informed that a log – which turned out to be the star of this particular show – was underwater towards their station, which ended up making direct contact with their rudder and snapped it some 800m into the race. Consequently, London steered straight over to Sydney off the start, parted again, then came back together by Fawley in what would be a boat-stopping clash of blades. From there, it became apparent that London’s rudder was completely goosed. The drama intensified further, with the heavens opening into ten minutes of absolutely torrential rain, soaking both crews now paused on the course and heatedly debating next steps with Umpire, Sarah Winckless. The decision was made to bring both crews back into the boat tents for an inspection of London’s damaged rudder.
Back on course for a 14:20 re-row, this is where we saw London come back into their own. Leading from the very start and determined to right the wrongs of earlier today, their three-and-a-half length victory – under the beams of the sun – was poetic. For Sydney, the final nail in the coffin came when they caught a small crab passing the Enclosures, and the deal was done. The Wyfold Challenge Cup comes back to London Rowing Club in a repeat of two years ago.
The Thames Challenge Cup – Thames Rowing Club ‘A’ v London Rowing Club ‘A’
The entire season of club eights rowing feels like it has been building towards the Putney derby of Thames versus London. Despite their dominance in their event over the past few years, including a surprise win in 2024, Thames Rowing Club have been on the back foot all season, losing to London at Metropolitan Regatta and Marlow Regatta. It was all to play for here on the biggest of stages. The London crew contained several athletes who know exactly what it takes to win at Henley. George Cowley and Zach Baxter won The Wyfold Challenge Cup with London Rowing Club in 2023, and cox Rosie Margolis steered Edinburgh University Boat Club to victory in The Prince Albert Challenge Cup back in 2016. After a bruising defeat last year against Thames on the Saturday, it was clear London had no intentions of losing to their local rivals for a second year running. Right off the start, this determination was evident, as London blasted out to a half length lead at The Barrier. The tension between the two crews was high, with both coxes warned for their steering around Fawley, but already it was advantage London as they extended their lead to a length. Full credit to Thames, they kept pushing the whole way, and London never walked completely out of sight. Yet, there was an air of inevitability as London stormed down the course. Approaching the finish line, the words ‘London lead Thames’ rang out over the tannoy. A hard earned, long-awaited victory for London Rowing Club in the Thames Challenge Cup.
The Wargrave Challenge Cup – Molesey Boat Club ‘A’ v Leander Club
The might of Molesey rang true in this spellbinding final for the ultimate prize in women’s club rowing. Punching out of the start all guns blazing, both Molesey and Leander were level by the end of the Island. The newfound depth of the Molesey women’s squad in the last 12 months reached its peak by the time they reached the Barrier, breaking records at all markers from there on out. The Pink Palace could do nothing but run them as close as they could, but it was Molesey in the driving seat as the noise from Remenham Club reverberated around the course. The crew of Cheesmur, Lush, Auchterlonie Hunter, Broughton, Worlmleighton, Donald, Thorp, Cassidy, and Al-Miqdadi made history today, beating the course record in a lightning fast time of 06:47. They lift The Wargrave Challenge Cup for Molesey, for the first time ever.
The Britannia Challenge Cup – Thames Rowing Club ‘A’ v London Rowing Club
The Putney showdown came once more in the final of the Britannia Challenge Cup. Thames came into this as the title-holders, with expectation resting on their shoulders. Meanwhile, yet to lift the Brit, London shot out of the start with a point to prove. By the end of the Island, however, it was the black, red, and white of Thames who took three quarters of a length, forceful and determined in their pursuit of greatness. This extended to a length and a half by the Barrier, but London held on, and reduced Thames’ lead to a length by Fawley. The navy and white clawed back, inch by inch, but Thames held firm and trusted in their legacy of knowing how to perform when it matters most. The Britannia Challenge Cup once again rests in the palms of Thames Rowing Club, rounding out an utterly outstanding set of club finals here at Henley Royal Regatta.
