02/07/2025
• Henley Royal Regatta (day 1 report) – John Aiken
Commercial cruise through first round
Commercial Rowing Club’s Wyfold Challenge Cup crew had a comfortable victory on the opening day of Henley Royal Regatta when they moved away smoothly from the UK Armed Forces ‘A’ yesterday morning. Taking an early lead of one quarter of a length by the end of Temple Island, they increased this to ¾ length by the quarter mile post and one length at The Barrier, in a time of exactly two minutes. Umpire, Sarah Winckless, had cause to warn them for a slight steering wobble early on, which they corrected immediately. Leading by 2 ½ lengths at Fawley (about half-way), they continued to move away over the remainder of the course to win by an Easily margin.
A promising start to their campaign, though one which will be tested more severely today by Thames RC ‘B’ who won in a very similar pattern and overall time.
The steersman, Tom Stevens, is a son of lightweight international Martin, and grandson of former Irish Amateur Rowing Union President, Wally Stevens, who was spare man on the 1948 Irish Olympic Eight which competed over the same course. Tom, making his first appearance here, was delighted by the crew’s performance.
The second Commercial coxed four enters competition today against Nottingham RC, a crew they beat narrowly by one second in London Met Regatta at Eton Dorney just a few weeks ago. Both Commercial races tomorrow should be exciting, and where recent improvements and temperament will play a big part in the outcomes.
Another Commercial sculler, Sophie Connolly, has teamed up with Nottingham sculler, Jen Titterington in the Stonor Challenge Trophy for Open Double Sculls. They face Teuntje Tijssen and Naomi Holland from the local Upper Thames crew, who recently reached the semi-finals of the Henley Women’s Regatta, later in the week.
Timetable Wednesday (Irish interest only)
Race 11 10.00 Wyfold Challenge Cup:
Thames R.C. ‘B’ vs. Commercial RC IRL
Race 20 10:50 Brittania Challenge Cup:
Commercial R.C. vs Nottingham R.C.
Photo Caption: Commercial move away in their first round race yesterday.
Tuesday’s Results (of Irish interest only):
Wyfold Challenge Cup (Club Coxless Fours): Commercial RC IRL (T J Stevens, M Allison, M P Fanning, C S Brennan) beat UK Armed Forces RC ‘A’. Distance: Easily; Time: 7:10.
