A right Bobby Dazzler! Newcastle University back in the final of the Island Challenge Cup

After the race of the day, Newcastle University are back-to-back finalists at Henley Royal Regatta

Newcastle University BC vs Oxford Brookes University BC had all the makings of a Henley classic. A repeat of last year’s final, the two programmes were inseparable all the way down the course. The Blue Star came into the event as winners of Championship Eights at BUCS Regatta and returned six of the crew from last year’s boat that fell short to Brookes 12 months ago.

Much like their starts at Henley Women’s Regatta, Newcastle University exploded out of the blocks. In the early stages, the women from the North East established half a length’s lead by the Barrier but that was all the Brookes afforded them. By Fawley, it was canvas to Newcastle, a quarter of a length at the ¾ Mile marker but the tide had turned and the pendulum of momentum had swung in the direction of the defending champions by the time the crews reached the Mile.

Newcastle University BC were involved in some epic encounters against Durham University BC and the University of London BC and once again, we witnessed a seismic sprint unleashed that hauled Newcastle back into the lead to win by just one foot.

Speaking after the race,  Annie Bates was incredibly proud of her crew’s performance, reaching the final of the Island Challenge Cup.

“It’s massive,” she said. “To be able to turn over the result from Brookes last year was pretty amazing. We were thinking about re-writing last year and just finally being able to do it is pretty amazing and I’m very happy.

“It would mean everything [to win]. We’ve had a pretty brilliant season with some amazing girls, it’s hard to describe how it would feel. The Blue Star is brilliant. I’ve definitely created a family that I’m going to come to all the time. The University has been brilliant at supporting us and hopefully we can keep that going with everyone around and yeah, the Blue Star is brilliant.”

The atmosphere in the enclosures was electric as the announcers delivered the updates for the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.

Brits Marcus Chute and Theo Bell painted a masterpiece as they came from behind to beat the Spanish International combination. The Spaniards, who were third at the European Championships, were chased hard by Chute and Bell until eventually they cracked at Fawley. Rapturous applause greeted the Princeton University rowers who are training with the GB Rowing Team.

The Bridge Challenge Cup delivered an upset as Thames RC flipped the script and knocked out Leander Club and the University of London. The two crews had previously met in the final of the Ron Needs Challenge Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta and on that occasion, it was the home crew who came out on top. However, over 1500m, Thames RC were closing the margin as they approached the finish line. Over the 2112m HRR course, Thames RC would row through the Leander composite to book themselves a spot in tomorrow’s final where they will face Oxford Brookes University BC to compete to be declared inaugural winners.

Speaking of upsets, Thames RC, the defending champions in the Wargrave Challenge Cup were handed a knockout blow from Remenham rivals, Molesey BC. Sam Tuck’s women were surgical in their victory and their reward is a match-up against Leander Club tomorrow.

This evening’s racing saw Shiplake College BC take one step closer to lifting the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. After losing at the hands of St. Paul’s School BC in last year’s final, today’s encounter was a performance worthy of a Hollywood script. The National Champions took on the defending champions and on this occasion, it was the local crew, Shiplake College BC who advanced to their second final in two years where they will face Radley College BC who had an absolute barnburner of a race against Hampton School BC. The two boats were in a boxing match the whole way down the course until Radley landed the decisive blow passing the enclosures to see them return the final of the PE for the first time since 2022.

One of the most intriguing narratives throughout the junior season has been the J18 Quadruple Sculls. After winning the National Schools’ Regatta, Tideway Scullers scratched from HWR, allowing Wycliffe College BC to lift The Bea Langridge Trophy for Junior Quadruple Sculls. Marlow RC have been nipping at their heels all season long and a commanding performance against Maidenhead RC sees them compete in tomorrow’s epic showdown as they take on Wycliffe College BC who were mighty impressive in their victory over the national champions from Chiswick.