Crimson glows, Geese fly and Gastroenteritis knocks ? the Henley Royal Regatta

The spectacle that is Henley. Dave Rogers/Getty Images
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Britain’s premier regatta started last Wednesday with 446 crews entered and ended yesterday after a full day of dramatic racing. The Henley, a truly international event, attracted 83 overseas crews from 12 nations who challenged the local Thames rowers on their own turf.

It all came down to the final two boats in each event on Sunday ? in front of large crowds, the boats raced head to head and only one could be the winner.

Reshuffling of event order and crew line ups launched the final day of racing after a number of athletes were struck with food poisoning following a Saturday evening buffet. The Visitors’ Challenge Cup was re-rowed after a flock of Canada geese went head on into the Brookes/Imperial College entry. The re-race reversed the result,  Brookes/Imperial College winning over the Cambridge crew.

Each race has years of history behind it and one of the oldest is the 1839 Grand Challenge Cup for eights of international standard. Canada and Germany made the standard. The Canadians finished on top with the advantage of ex-Great Britain coach, Mike Spraklen using his home town knowledge.

Crimson final – Harvard races Harvard in the coxed four. Dave Rogers/Getty Images
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USA’s Harvard University also had the advantage of coach experience. Their head coach, Harry Parker, celebrated his 40^th year at Harvard by wining three trophies. The crimson colours dominated their races including a semi-final win against the South African lightweight men’s four to make it an exclusive Harvard final in the Britannia Challenge Cup. They also won the Ladies’ Challenge Plate and the Temple Challenge Cup ? both eight’s races.

The Princess Royal Challenge Cup for women single scullers drew a high caliber of international players. Bulgaria’s Roumiana Nekova made a remarkable comeback after a break since the 2000 Olympics to beat French favourite, Sophie Balmary in the semi-final and then easily beat current World Champion, Katrin Rutschow-Stomporowski of Germany in her first big race for the season.

Pinsent & Cracknell stay ahead of South Africa. Dave Rogers/Getty Images
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Ramon Di Clemente and Don Cech’s, challenge began with their 12-hour flight from South Africa. They completed this marathon by lining up in the final of the Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup against British star crew, Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell. Although coming out second best the South Africans pushed the British boys to the line.

Two national teams lined up for the final of the Stewards’ Challenge Cup. With the British crew pulling out due to illness two lightweight crews were left to contend the final – Canada and World Cup yellow jersey holders, Denmark. Denmark took the honours by a length.

The Double Sculls Challenge Cup saw an impressive win by France over current World Champions, Hungary. Hungary led at half way but failed to maintain their pace and Sebastian Vieilledent and Adrien Hardy crossed the line first. These crews will meet again at the World Cup in Lucerne in a week.