Boom year for international crews at Henley Royal Regatta

The British national team has entered a great number of boats in elite events. This includes Andrew Triggs Hodge and Peter Reed in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup for men’s pairs, Alan Campbell in the Diamond Challenge Sculls for men’s single sculls, the British men’s quadruple sculls in the Queen Mother Challenge Cup, the British men’s four, winners at the Samsung World Rowing Cup I, in the Steward’s Challenge Cup and the men’s eight, in the Grand Challenge Cup.

However the British assault on Henley-on-Thames water will not go unchallenged. Croatia, World Champions and winners at the Samsung World Rowing Cup II, will race in the men’s quadruple sculls event, as will strong contenders Poland.

The Australians also begin their European campaign at this regatta. Drew Ginn, Olympic Champion in the men’s pair from Beijing 2008, will make his long awaited comeback in the Steward’s Challenge Cup. He will be racing in a four and competing as the Australian Institute of Sport ‘A’. The Australian women’s quad will contest the Princess Grace Challenge Cup against China and the United States. The Australian men’s eight will come up against Great Britain, Germany and the United States. This event always attracts much interest from the large Henley crowds.

Olympic Champions from Beijing, David Crawshay and Scott Brennan of Australia will go head-to-head with Matthew Wells and Marcus Bateman of Great Britain in the Double Sculls Challenge Cup.

National team members from the United States also have a strong contingent at Henley. Thomas and John Graves are contesting the Diamond Challenge Sculls. The British women’s eight will also come up against World Champion and Olympic Champions the United States of America in the Remenham Challenge Cup. Justin Stangel and Thomas Peszek will come up against Greek national team members, Nikolaos and Aspotolos Gkountouloas in the men’s pair. The Gkountouloas brothers were bronze medallists at the first Samsung World Rowing Cup in Munich. There are also four Australian pairs in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup.

Lightweight single sculler and 2009 World Champion in the lightweight women’s double Alexandra Tsiavou of Greece will contest the Princess Royal Challenge Cup, the elite women’s single sculls event. Tsiavou will come up against stiff opposition from Mirka Knapkova of Czech Republic, Femke Dekker of the Netherlands and Genevra Stone of the United States.

As well as the elite international contenders, student, school and club crews from around the world will also race down the booms. Top USA collegiate eights crews from Yale University, Harvard University, University of California and University of Virginia will fight for honours in the Temple Challenge Cup against strong British university crews. The British women’s eight will also come up against World Champion and Olympic Champions the United States of America in the Remenham Challenge Cup.

Always a popular event in the British social calendar, crowds will flock to Henley-on-Thames over the next five days. The event has proudly held on to traditional rowing customs which has added to the uniqueness of the event. Those watching from certain areas at the venue are expected to follow strict dress codes, whilst crowds on the banks further up towards the start of the course can enjoy a more casual, lively atmosphere.

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