Upper Thames athletes dominate at record-breaking masters regatta

HOST club Upper Thames and Henley Rowing Club both enjoyed success at the three-day Henley Masters Regatta last weekend.

With the addition of an extra day’s racing this year that ran from Friday to Sunday, racing included a record number of events, rowing clubs, countries and competitors and for the first-time mixed crew eights and quad scull races.

More than 1,413 athletes in 438 crews, representing 172 rowing clubs from 14 countries, enjoyed racing over the 1,000m course from Temple Island and finishing at Upper Thames Rowing Club. The regatta included 81 separate events with crew average ages ranging from 36 years (Masters B), to over 80 years (Masters J).

Upper Thames and Upper Thames composite crews won an impressive 15 events including: women’s D coxed fours, open masters I quad scull, open masters F quad scull, open masters I double scull, women’s masters E coxless four, women’s masters D eighth, women’s masters F double scull, women’s B quad scull, women’s masters F eight, open masters G coxless four, open masters B coxed four, women’s masters C eight, mixed masters C quad scull, mixed masters C eight and mixed masters G quad scull.

Meanwhile Henley Rowing Club delivered a dominant performance, securing double glory in the men’s masters B and masters C double sculls categories. Both Henley crews showed grit and control as they powered their way through tough rounds to claim victory. Despite facing stiff opposition in every round, the crews maintained composure under pressure and saved their best for the finals where they left their competitors trailing.

The masters B double of Mike Lambourn and Richard Ellera were relentless across the competition, seeing off formidable challenges from Tideway Scullers School and Rob Roy before overcoming Upper Thames in a thrilling final.

Though earlier rounds were tightly fought, the Henley duo left nothing to chance in the deciding race, dictating the rhythm and denying Upper Thames any serious opportunity to respond.

Meanwhile, the masters C double of John Gelling and Tom Jost mirrored their clubmates’ path to the podium.

They emerged victorious after battling past Ross RC and then dispatching a strong challenge from Lagan Scullers’ Club from Ireland in their final showdown.

Once again, a tight contest was expected but Henley’s experience shone through when it mattered most. Speaking after the races, Henley Rowing Club committee member, Nick Friend, praised the crews. He said: “To take home two titles in such competitive fields is a tremendous achievement. Both boats showed the hallmark Henley traits of precision, determination, and smart racing.”

Winners’ medals were presented on Saturday and Sunday afternoons by a team including Tom Buckley (Mayor of Henley), Miriam Luke MBE (Olympic rower and sculler), Tim Crooks (Olympic rower and sculler), Paul Stuart-Bennett (Upper Thames Rowing Club president) and Catherine McLaughlin (wife of HMR event secretary John McLaughlin from 2010 to 2014).

The regatta is run by an amateur army of rowing enthusiasts, volunteers, umpires and local partners. Jon Thornber, Henley Masters Regatta chairman, thanked all involved for their hard work in making the regatta such a success. Despite the warm weather there were only three heat injuries over the three days, all of which were dealt with by the regatta’s medical team.