Henley Women’s Regatta marks the close of many rowers’ seasons – and for some, the conclusion of their university rowing careers. Months of gruelling preparation culminate in this greatly anticipated weekend of racing – a highlight of the rowing calendar.
Many programmes target the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy to showcase their top Aspirational event-eligible athletes. With a smaller field than in 2024, 19 crews will race over 1500 metres in a time trial on Friday afternoon. The fastest 16 will progress to the heats on Friday evening, followed by quarterfinals on Saturday evening. The semifinals and the final will be contested on Sunday afternoon, bringing the event – and, for many, the season – to a close.
Imperial College BC
Imperial College won the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy in 2023, but last year were defeated by Boston University RC (USA) in their heat. With one returning member from last year, this new combination raced together in the intermediate coxed fours at BUCS Regatta, coming away third in the B-final. Three weeks ago, the Metropolitan Regatta, which operates under the same eligibility rules as Henley Women’s, provided the perfect opportunity for the crew to measure themselves against their likely competition. Partaking in the Sunday’s racing, Imperial placed as the second-fastest academic coxless four, a narrow 1.5 seconds behind victors University of Galway. Having lost out on medals in the final 500 metres of that 2000-metre duel, Imperial will use the 1500-metre course of Henley Women’s Regatta to their advantage.
Oxford Brookes University BC
The Cathy Cruickshank Trophy is one of the few prizes that Oxford Brookes are yet to put their name on. In 2023, Brookes eased their way through the rounds, with lengths to spare each time. However, in the final, they were ultimately outpaced by Imperial College, whose semifinal was a row-over due to a disqualification. Last year, Brookes appeared to be the favourites, sailing through their heat and quarterfinal easily. However, before the semifinal, the crew were disqualified due to the ineligibility of one of the crew under the Aspirational event rules. At BUCS and Metropolitan Regattas, Oxford Brookes limited their racing to eights, meaning that their speed is yet to be unveiled, but will the lack of race experience in the four get the better of them?
KSRV Njord (NED)
In 2024, the Royal Students Boat Club from the Netherlands won the time trial of the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy in fine style, with almost three seconds separating them from the eventual winners, Durham University. However, the crew was one of two to be disqualified for non-concordance with strict eligibility criteria for Aspirational events at Henley Women’s Regatta. Having proven themselves in both 2022 and 2019 by winning the event and setting a new course record, 2025 could be the year the Dutch rowers rise to victory again.
University College Dublin Ladies BC
2025 marks the first time that the University College Dublin will challenge for the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy. Three weeks ago, at the Metropolitan Regatta, the UCD crew were the only one from the academic coxless four cohort on Saturday to make the A-final, where they placed fifth. Their recent victory will have boosted their confidence, and they will undoubtedly be entering the weekend with a clear agenda – to make their first Henley Women’s one to remember.
Edinburgh University BC
Edinburgh has an excellent track record of training novice rowers and bringing them up to a competitive level quickly. For the past two years, the Frank V Harry Cup for Development Fours has been won by Edinburgh, and 2023 saw an Edinburgh–Edinburgh final. This year, the novices from Edinburgh will also be targeting the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy, which will see them come head-to-head against more experienced athletes. Edinburgh more than proved at the Metropolitan Regatta that their novices were more than capable of competing with seniors – they placed as the third academic coxless four on the Sunday. The nature of racing at Henley Women’s Regatta – one-on-one, all-or-nothing – makes close races like a pressure cooker. Will the less experienced novice crew be able to stay cool and handle the heat?
Prediction
With three crews being eliminated after the time trial, I hope that no qualifying crews are disqualified due to ineligibility this year. Provided that all crews can comply with the stringent eligibility criteria, I expect the racing will become closer and closer as the rounds progress. I expect the crews filling the semifinals will be: Imperial College, Oxford Brookes, KSRV Njord, and University College Dublin. Fuelled to engrave their names on the trophy for the first time, I think a well-drilled Oxford Brookes four could be the top contender for the win; however, the crew from the Netherlands could be the ones to give them a run for their money.
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