Wyfold and Thames Cup wins at HRR
The Wyfold and Thames Challenge Cups are both back in Thames' hands after Henley Royal Regatta 2021 - a week which saw history made in many ways.
The Wyfold A crew reached the final after four solid rows, including a tough quarter-final against Tideway Scullers School. They led the final from the start and rowed a strong race to beat a good Lea crew. The B crew won their first round against the UK Armed Forces before, unfortunately, facing the A crew on Thursday.
In the Thames Challenge Cup, Thames A set out their stall early as the fastest in the event and cruised to victory until Sunday. In the final, they took an early lead and held off Molesey A's fast finish to cross the line first - the fourth Thames Cup win in six regattas for the club. Thames B were knocked out by Molesey A on Friday, losing by only 1 3/4 lengths.
Thames made several pieces of history in the new women's club event, the Wargrave Challenge Cup. Not only did we qualify three crews (out of 12 places), but Thames C raced the very first race, losing to Tideway Scullers B in the closest race of the first day. Thames B beat Upper Thames on Thursday, and raced Thames A on Friday.
After beating Tideway Scullers A on Saturday, Thames A faced a strong Leander crew in the final. They led off the start before Leander, on Berkshire, came through. The Thames crew hung on about a length down for the entire course, with Leander having to fend off their attacks, eventually winning by 1 1/2 lengths.
The Princess Grace composite also reached the final after two great rows on Friday and Saturday. Against Leander on Sunday they produced a thrilling race, pushing through from the Barrier to take the lead. It was neck and neck to the enclosures, where Leander again regained the edge to take a one-length victory.
Our Britannia Challenge Cup crew had a good first round on Thursday. On Friday they came up against Frankfurter Rudergesellschaft Germania 1869, losing by 1 3/4 lengths in what would turn out to be the hardest race for the eventual winners.
The Visitors’ Challenge Cup composite of Thames & Leander also made Friday, and lost to finalists Leander in a good race. Thames & Radley Mariners went out the previous day to a composite from London RC and Edinburgh University.
In the Ladies Challenge Plate, the Thames & London composite, largely featuring recently-retired squad athletes, raced well against Oxford Brookes B but fell short.
It was the first tme since 2005 that the club has had four finalists at HRR, and the first time since 2006 that we have won the Wyfold Challenge Cup. Meanwhile the Thames Cup win is the fourth in six regattas, an excellent run.
Thanks to all 72 Thames athletes and all the coaches for their hard work during such a difficult season, which certainly paid off.