Elite international crews impress at Henley Royal Regatta

The Henley Royal Regatta wrapped on the 2023 edition yesterday, 2 July, with finals in all boat classes. Situated between the second and third World Rowing Cups, many national teams used this opportunity to get another start in this summer and compete in Henley’s one-on-one racing style.

Various elite crews from Great Britain, Canada, Poland, Spain, Germany, Azerbaijan, and the United States took part.

Germany’s Olli Zeidler picked up a third win in the Diamond Challenge Sculls (open men’s single sculls), becoming the first German to win the event more than twice. He could soon challenge Mahe Drysdale’s record for total Diamond Sculls wins.

Diana Dymchenko of Azerbaijan won over Marta Wieliczko of Poland in the final of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup (open women’s single sculls), while beating the scullers from Canada, Great Britain, and Australia throughout the week.

Aleix Garcia Pujolar and Rodrigo Conde Romero of Spain made history when they won the Double Sculls Challenge Cup (open men’s double sculls), becoming the first Spanish crew to win in the regatta’s history.

On home territory, the British elite team won many of their finals with the combinations that have already picked up medals at the European Rowing Championships and World Rowing Cups this season – the Grand Challenge Cup (open men’s eights), the Town Challenge Cup (open women’s fours), the Queen Mother Challenge Cup (open men’s quadruple sculls), the Princess Grace Challenge Cup (open women’s quadruple sculls), the Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup (open men’s pair), and the Stewards Challenge Cup (open men’s fours).

The British women’s eight did not manage to retain their title in the Remenham Challenge Cup (open women’s eights), which was won by the Canadians.

The Canadians also won the Stonor Challenge Trophy (open women’s double sculls), with Jill Moffatt and Jennifer Casson proving that the lightweights are a force to be reckoned with when racing in the open category.

Many of these crews will now turn their attention back over to the World Rowing Cup series, with the third and final event taking place in Lucerne, Switzerland this coming weekend (7-9 July 2023).

For full Henley Royal Regatta results, visit their page.

For full entries to the 2023 World Rowing Cup III, visit our event page.