The boat tents were near empty, with still water and mild, overcast conditions. The anticipation in the boat park on Henley Royal Regatta finals day was palpable. Four Australian crews were set to take to the Thames in seriously fast conditions.
Race three: The Double Sculls Challenge Cup: O.A. McGuinness & M.J. Reinhard, AUS vs F.J. Hamill & B.D. Mason, NZL
The former lightweight duo of Oscar McGuinness and Mitch Reinhard knew they had some tough competition in The Double Sculls Challenge Cup, drawing a New Zealand combination that had medalled at both World Rowing Cups this season. Paying no attention to the form book, the South Australians seized the early advantage, leading by half a length at the quarter-mile. For the next 1000m, the lead changed twice, with the Kiwis taking half a canvas before the Aussies responded. Australia didn’t drop below 39 strokes per minute the entire way down the course, however Hamill and Mason had another gear, and moved a length clear by Remenham on their way to a one and a half length victory.
Race seven: The Wyfold Challenge Cup: Sydney Rowing Club vs London Rowing Club
Well. That was an event. As driving rain rolled down the course, the drama unfolded from the very first stroke. London were warned for their steering in the shadows of Temple Island, drifting into the centre of the river which they corrected before emerging level. London began to move away from Sydney and were half a length up when they suddenly became unsteady, catching a crab and steering straight into the Sydney crew. Umpire Sarah Winckless immediately red-flagged the race, explaining that it was clear the London crew had lost their rudder after striking a log during the warmup.
Although they thought it would be ok to race with, the sudden steering at the start had clearly further damaged it. The crews then paddled back to the boat tents, London having to row as a pair to stop themselves signing their names in the course. When the boat was lifted off the water, it was clear that the rudder and fin had both been ripped clean off. After 45 minutes of deliberation, we had the news that the race would be re-rowed at the end of a shortened lunch break.
Miraculously, London were able to install a new fin and steering system, rather than swap to a different shell. Once the re-row begun, it was a far more simple affair for both crews, with minimal corrections to steering. London took a commanding early lead early on, extending the margin right the way down the course, it was never in doubt for the embankment club, with the final margin three and a half lengths.
Race 18: The Grand Challenge Cup: Rowing Australia vs Hollandia R.C., NED
The most hotly anticipated race of the week for Team Australia, The Grand Challenge Cup, last won by the men from down under in 2018, a race in which they set the record. Having dispatched the Brits yesterday on home water, confidence was high. The Dutch got off the blocks better, taking the slightest of margins in the early stages. Once the Australians found their rhythm, however, there was no halting their progress. Leading Hollandia by just a foot at the quarter mile, extending in the second 500m to a third of a length at the Fawley. The second half of the race saw the Australians carry their momentum further, crossing the line a length ahead. Australia also managed to equal the record that they set in that spectacular victory in 2018.
The result caps off a European tour that has gone from strength to strength, adding speed at each race.
Race 19: The Queen Mother Challenge Cup: Rowing Australia, AUS vs Great Britain
The final Australian race of the regatta, the men’s quad, who have improved every time they’ve hit the water this season. The crew of Nick Blackman, Jackson Free, Johnson Daubney, and Alex Rossi asked serious questions of Great Britain early doors, leading the favoured home crew to the Barrier. Great Britain responded and the two crews had a good tussle through the second stage of the race, but the locals move at Fawley proved too much for the new-look Australian combination, who went on to trail by two lengths at the line.
From the 32 crews that travelled halfway across the world to prove their mettle on this iconic stretch of the River Thames, only four remained on Sunday. Of those, our Men’s Eight proved victorious, but all four of those crews flew the Australian flag high, reminding the crowd that we are still a force to be reckoned with at the greatest regatta on earth.
