Henley warms to fiery opening day of racing

A star international entry withdrew but one record fell, two more were equalled and there were oar clashes and a disqualification as the chilly weather was easily matched by fiery racing on the opening day of the 168th Henley Royal Regatta.

The morning opened with New Zealand’s Robbie Manson announcing that he had to withdraw from the Diamond Challenge Sculls because of a rib injury. He hopes to be recovered in time for the World Cup regatta in Lucerne next week, but leaves the top half of the Diamonds draw looking thin, potentially giving Oxford University Women’s assistant coach Jamie Kirkwood a more open run to the final.

Newcastle University’s Prince Albert Cup coxed four thrashed the Université de Lyon, equalling the Barrier record on the way and breaking the record to Fawley, roughly halfway along the 2,112- metre course. They were helped by a fluctuating tailwind, which also blew up for Radley College’s win over Americans Episcopal Academy in the schoolboy eights. Radley equalled their event’s Barrier record, set by Eton in their on-song year of 2009 and not matched since.

A somewhat unusual disqualification marred the Fawley junior quads, where the American School in London had their race victory taken away some hours after the finish.

No reason was disclosed by the stewards but the decision permits Tideway Scullers’ juniors, who had been beaten by nearly four lengths, to re-enter the competition and race Claires Court School today.

Leeds won an astonishing scrap to the line against Curlew in the Thames club eights in a photo-finish. Earlier in the same event, there was a face-off between London A and Agecroft, who had been separated by mere inches at Marlow Regatta 10 days before. Agecroft won this round but both crews had visibly churned up weed at the start.

This was caused by the recent low river levels and sunny weather, and could prove a bigger problem as the week goes on since it can foul boat rudders.