Championship Eights
London Rowing Club’s women had a strong and promising 2024-2025 season. Despite missing out on any silverware at Henley Royal Regatta, their squad has shown significant depth and sustained efforts since their spectacular Wargrave Challenge Cup final in 2024. It is no surprise to see a London entry into the championship category, but with only one, Laura Bates and her crew have the privilege to fly the flag for London, sandwiched by Thames Rowing Club. All eyes will be on Thames this weekend, having won the Victor Ludorum individually or tied for the last 14 years. With only five entries across the championship coxed and coxless fours at Fours Head, seeing four eights entered into the championship eight for this weekend sets a stamp down from Thames that they mean business. Thames came away from Fours Head with their women’s results all in seventh and upwards, a fantastic start to the Tideway Head season. Coming off a Wargrave Challenge Cup semifinal and a win in the inaugural Bridge Challenge Plate last season, as well as wins in both the Copas Cup and the Lester Trophy at Henley Women’s Regatta, it’s easy to see the potential this season’s women will bring to the start line. The absence of names on the draw leaves us guessing lineups – and I’m sure this will play mind games with their competition too.
The Molesey women’s squad had a record-breaking 2024-2025 season. With three championship-level eights racing at Henley Women’s, and winning The Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal – these women will be looking to start this season the way they intend to end it – with the win. With (yet another record-breaking) nine entries to the Fours Head and three entries into band 1 eights at Teddington Head, they have certainly started the season well. Taking home the top three spots at Teddington Head, two wins at Fours Head and eight top-ten finishes – not to mention their second-place finish at The Head of the Charles right at the beginning of the season – those in black this weekend will be ones to watch under the guidance of Sam Tuck. The single Molesey entry into this category will also see them sandwiched between Thames Rowing Club crews, but for how long can Thames keep them there?
Club Eights
The momentum of LRC’s women was reflected by their seven women’s boats entered into the Fours Head in November, where they also came away with the win in the club coxless four. With Molesey nipping at their heels, women’s captain Jemima Harbottle will be thrilled to be setting off first in the club event, being able to push off direct competition. With only one boat featuring the championship category, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Molesey Boat Club have multiple entries finishing near the top of this club category. On the contrary, Thames Rowing Club seem to have weighted their entries towards the championship eights, and only one crew will be lining up to race the club category.
Vesta Rowing Club come into this weekend as a boat club that are hard to ignore. Their 2025 Henley Women’s Regatta campaign demonstrated depth and development, with three crews entered in the Copas Cup for Aspirational Club Eights. While only the A crew progressed to the second round, a whopping 45 Vesta women competed, making them the second-largest entry. Highlights included making the quarterfinal in both the Copas Cup and the Lester Trophy. As of recent races, Vesta’s results have been encouraging, with strong performances at Teddington and consistent results across all crews at Fours Head. Under the guidance of Ewan Murray, the women’s squad seems to continue to build, further echoed by the spectacular six entries into the development eight. Vesta will be looking forward to the race against its Remenham Club counterparts, and with three entries into the club category, may be in with a chance at the Victor Ludorum.
Development Eights
Vesta Rowing Club are also carrying the development categories on both the open and women’s sides, with an impressive six entries here. This certainly suggests that the future of Vesta’s senior squads will be in good hands as these athletes progress, but one this is for sure – Vesta will certainly be taking home a win in at least one event this weekend.
Prediction
The start order for this weekend certainly suggests that there’ll be some close racing. Dependent on lineups, it looks as though Molesey Boat Club could take the win in the Championship Eights, Thames Rowing Club in the Club Eights, and Vesta Rowing Club in the Development Eights.
