Henley masters crews shine at Town and Visitors’ Regatta

HENLEY Rowing Club, Upper Thames and Shiplake Vikings all gained success at last Saturday’s Henley Town and Visitors’ Regatta which attracted a good crowd.

The event took place in slightly challenging conditions early on with a keen tailwind developed into a fine day full of quality racing, with 283 crews comprising 567 competitors from 42 rowing clubs competing in 143 races.

Henley Rowing Club’s masters secured three victories and a second-place finish across four finals and nine thrilling races.

The masters D quadruple sculls crew of Mark Gray, Matt Peachey, Ken Fitzgibbon and Shaun Paice snatched a semi-final victory by just one foot against Fairlop RC before going on to comfortably win the final by two lengths against Quintin BC.

The men’s E quadruple sculls crew of Andrew Garnett, Will Edmondson, Andrew Grant and Mike Hornsby also impressed, finishing second ahead of Quintin BC, but were beaten by a strong Maidenhead crew in their semi-final.

David Brown and Mike Hornsby defeated Thames Tradesmen’s RC in the masters G double sculls semi-final. In the final against an experienced Guildford RC masters I crew, who benefited from a 21-second handicap at the start, they finished second by four-and-a-half lengths.

Peachey was back on the water in the afternoon, partnering with Jan Wildenhain in the masters D double sculls. Overcoming a poor start in their semi-final, they quickly found their rhythm for a comfortable win against Upton RC and Fulham Reach RC. The final saw them face a familiar Fairlop RC, whose crew included two rowers from the earlier nail-biting masters D quadruple sculls race. After 300m, the race was tight, but Henley surged ahead, lengthening their stroke to claim a commanding five-length win.

The Henley women’s masters E quadruple sculls crew of Rachel Galbraith, Jo Carey, Nicole Peachey and Aiofe Scott had a straight final. Despite being impeded by erratic steering from Marlow RC, they rowed well, though the race was ultimately won by a fast Maidenhead crew.

The women’s masters F quadruple crew of Judy Walker, Miriam O’Leary, Jo Paice and Elizabeth Thomazeau delivered an impressive win in their straight final. A fast start gave them a one-length lead, maintained with good steering by Thomazeau, which they held for the entire course, securing another win by one-and-a-half lengths. Elsewhere, Henley’s O Rowley finished second in the final of the J15 single sculls, with a sculler from Hereford Rowing Club winning by one-quarter of a length.

Upper Thames gained success in the band one mixed double sculls, where Alice Pickthall and Steve Griffiths delivered an impressive victory, winning their straight final against Wallingford Rowing Club by three lengths.

Amanda Bowden and Suzanne Radley finished a close second for Upper Thames in the women’s coxless pairs in a tight three-boat final, just one length behind the winning Army/RAF composite crew.

Meanwhile, Upper Thames coxes Chris Douglas and Esh Lim had their first go at racing as rowers in the band five mixed double sculls, gaining valuable experience despite a tough draw against a fast Marlow crew.

Shiplake Vikings’ Robyn Fielder and Pippa Brand teamed up to dominate the WJ15 double sculls with an impressive win. Among the successful visitors, the Newcastle University alumni from Blue Star Club won band one open eights and were presented with the Alexander Cup by the Alexander family visiting from Vancouver, British Columbia — Arthur Lewin (Algie) Alexander was secretary of Henley Royal Regatta from 1959 until 1971.

Sparks Rowing programme from the USA won the open eights and open women’s coxed fours.

The Victor Ludorum for the most successful club at the regatta was won convincingly by Hereford Rowing Club, who again claimed the Peter Sutherland Challenge Cup. The Town Cup was won by Warwick Boat Club. This is the pride of the regatta’s trophy collection, having been created for the first Henley Regatta in 1839.

Speaking after the event, regatta president Barbara Wilson said: “It’s been a fantastic regatta showcasing the best of Henley both on and off the water. The competitors I spoke to really enjoyed the day and will definitely be back next year.

“Also thank you to the spectators that came, supported this local event and cheered on the crews.” Regatta chairman Mark Davies added: “I’d like to thank all our volunteers, subscribers, sponsors and supporters who do so much to make the regatta a success. The regatta committee would also like to thank the stewards of Henley Royal Regatta, who allow us to use their land and facilities, and Henley Town Council who have supported the regatta for many years.

“Particular thanks also go to the younger juniors of Henley Rowing Club who manned the stake boats at the start all day, in warm and at times breezy conditions.”