175th Henley Royal Regatta gets underway

Sir Ben Ainslie will present trophies to the winning crews of the Henley Royal Regatta on Sunday.

The four-times Olympic champion will hand out the awards, along with the Regatta Chairman Mike Sweeney, who is retiring after 22 years of service.

This is the 175th Henley Royal Regatta where 494 crews have entered.

The scene is set for a high-calibre Henley Royal Regatta, celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the first Regatta in 1839, with many Olympic and World Champions from around the world taking part.

The Great Britain Rowing Team was the top nation at the recent European Championships in Belgrade and eight of its crews will be competing in the top events at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta.

The British Eight, racing as Leander Club and University of London, are European Bronze Medallists and will meet the French National Eight, racing as Club France in a straight final. The winning crew will be the first to have their names engraved on the brand new base of The Grand Challenge Cup.

In The Queen Mother Challenge Cup for men’s quads the British World and European Silver Medallists, racing as Leander Club and Agecroft Rowing Club, will face tough opposition from the national crews from Australia, France and the Netherlands.

The Remenham Challenge Cup for women’s eights has attracted national crews from Great Britain, Australia and the Netherlands. The British Eight will be racing as Leander Club and Imperial College London. A total of 494 crews have entered this year’s Regatta.

The Chairman of the Committee of Management, Mike Sweeney, said “This year is the 175th Anniversary of the Regatta and I am delighted to welcome so many top crews from all around the world to help us to celebrate this special occasion. “