Henley Royal Regatta Day 5: Henley crews battle windy conditions in pursuit of a spot in Sunday’s finals.

CREWS from Leander Club and Shiplake College are vying for a spot in tomorrow’s finals as the fifth day of racing kicks off today (Saturday).

The morning started overcast and muggy, with moderate wind and a temperature of 18C. Light, scattered showers followed throughout the day, but by 5pm, the sky was mostly clear.

So far today, seven crews featuring Leander rowers have been knocked out of their competitions, whilst three crews have secured a spot in the final.

Leander Club beat Dartmouth College to progress to the final of the Ladies Challenge Plate for intermediate open eight oars and a composite crew of Leander Club and Reading University advanced to the finals of the Town Challenge Cup, beating Hollandia Rowing club ‘B’ from the Netherlands.

Shiplake College junior women’s eight oars have secured a spot in tomorrow’s final in the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy.

A Leander Club and Molesey Boat Club composite crew will return for the Remenham Challenge Cup final after beating a crew from Rowing Australia in a close battle.

Among those still to come in today’s semi-finals are Shiplake College in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup and Leander Club in the Wargrave Challenge Cup.

4.00pm

A Leander Club and Molesey Boat Club composite beat Rowing Australia to book a spot in the final of the Remenham Challenge Cup.

Leander and Molesey finished with a time of six minutes and 57 seconds, two-thirds of a length ahead of the Australians.

The race judge said: “This was a closely fought contest over the whole length of the course. Molesey and Leander were technically the more superior crew, and this gave them the same boat speed at a lower rating than Australia.

“So, along the enclosure, they had the flexibility to raise their rate and manage an excellent crew.”

3.00pm

Leander rowers were unable to progress to the Grand Challenge Cup final either.

Its composite crew with Oxford Brookes University was beaten by a crew from Rowing Australia, which finished in six minutes and 18 seconds, two-thirds of a length ahead of the British composite.

The race judge said: “Australia began to move ahead as soon as the crew had settled and then very gradually extended their slight lead, looking the more solid crew in the blustery conditions. A good race with a worthy winner.”

2.40pm

A Leander Club and Mercantile Rowing Club composite were knocked out of the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup by Marlow Rowing Club.

Marlow finished in six minutes and 48 seconds, beating the composite crew by two-thirds of a length.

The race judge said: “Leander and Mercantile started well but could not shake Marlow who sculled well. It was close throughout. A good win for Marlow.”

2.30pm

A Leander Club and University of London composite crew were defeated Thames Rowing Club in a close finish in the Bridge Challenge Plate.

Thames finished in a time of seven minutes and twenty seconds, narrowly beating the composite crew by half a length.

The race judge said: “Leander and University of London took an early lead and seemed to have the race wrapped up. But approaching Fawley, Thames struck and made the race their own.”

12.20pm

Another Leander Crew were kept out of the finals in the Stewards’ Challenge Cup.

The Leander Club and Oxford Brookes composite was beaten by Croatian Rowing Federation, who won with a time of seven minutes and two seconds, two and a half lengths ahead.

The race judge said: “The very powerful Croatian crew went off at a very high rating to establish an early lead, which they steadily built on.”

12.04pm

A Leander Club and Thames Rowing Club composite crew were knocked out of the Ladies’ Challenge Plate by Oxford Brookes ‘A’.

Oxford Brookes crossed the line in six minutes and 17 seconds, two-thirds of a length in front of the composite crew.

The race judge said: “A commanding performance by Brookes who always looked in control, despite no breaking clear. Longer with more hang, they had just that more acceleration in the headwind. Leander pressed hard but couldn’t close the early gap.”

11.48am

Leander Club were knocked out of the Thames Challenge Cup by London Rowing Club ‘A’ in a time of six minutes and 26 seconds.

The London crew crossed the line with a lead of one and three quatres of a length.

Leander rower Earl Marvin, 21, who lives in Henley said the crew had been well prepared for the windy conditions.

He said: “I really backed ourselves in these conditions. I think we had done a really good job preparing for this.

“We were at a training camp in Spain a few weeks ago and it was really windy the whole time and very sunny so we felt really good going in.

“Obviously they are, really really quick. They were a second faster then our Ladies Plate boat, and I might be a little bias, but I think out Ladies Plate boat is pretty good.”

Despite the result Mr Marvin who is originally from Ojai, California said he was “very proud” of the crew progress this year.

He said: “I think we did really well, I am really proud of our season.”

11.24am

Leander Club beat Dartmouth College to progress to the final of the Ladies Challenge Plate.

Following tightly contested race, the Henley crew crossed the line in a time of six minutes and 16 seconds, beating Dartmouth by half a boat length.

The race judge said: “While a determined Leander used their rate to move off, Dartmouth’s well-timed push made a quarter length and brought them back into the fight. Dartmouth wanted it and Leander had a small wobble but ultimately had to prevail.”

10.44am

A Leander Club and Reading University composite crew advanced to the finals of the Town Challenge Cup, beating Hollandia Rowing club ‘B’ from the Netherlands.

The British composite crew finished in a time of seven minutes and 34 seconds, two lengths ahead of the Dutch crew.

The race judge said: “Leander and Reading always looked the more comfortable and handled the conditions better.”

9.40am

Shiplake College advanced to the final of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, beating Kinross Wolaroi School from Australia.

Shiplake finished in a time of seven minutes and 44 seconds, beating Kinross Wolaroi School by two and a half minutes.

The race judge said: “Once both crews had settled, Shiplake’s stride was more effective, and they coped better with the blustery conditions.”

Alice Dargue, the six seat, said the crew managed to remain calm despite a strong headwind.

She said: “We just kept calm, and we went well. We started walking at one point and just kept moving away.

“It’s pretty surreal to be in the finals but it’s pretty cool.”

9.24am

Leander Club were knocked out of the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup by New York Athletic Club.

The American Crew finished in a time of eight minutes and 29 seconds, three- and three-quarter lengths in front of Leander.

The race judge said: “A determined row by NYAC who stayed long and cohesive in a challenging cross headwind. Leander never relented but ultimately were outclassed, having stayed in touch until Fawley.”