News

Posted: 8th July 2025

Henely Royal Regatta saw a record number of crews racing on the Thames last week – and a great representation of both Scottish crews and individual Scottish rowers.

With 13 Scottish crews making it into the main draw, it was a busy start to the week! Special mention to The University of Edinburgh, who enjoyed a record year with seven crews / 55 athletes competing at Henley Royal Regatta, including three women’s eights who qualified for The Island Challenge Cup – the most of any club.

Racing kicked off on Tuesday with representation from Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association, Edinburgh University Boat Club, and St Andrew Boat Club. A great start to the morning’s racing saw Edinburgh University ‘A’ crews progressing in both The Temple Challenge Cup and The Island Challenge Cup. The crew from St Andrew Boat Club raced hard against Seeclub Zurich but were second to the line in their head-to-head in The Wyfold Challenge Cup.

Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association were next to boat in The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup – taking a win over Nottingham Rowing Club by 2 lengths.

Day two of racing saw an early start in The Island Challenge Cup for Edinburgh University ‘B’ who were led off the start by the crew from The University of Iowa but managed to come back strong and claim victory with a verdict of 1 ¼ lengths at the finish. Edinburgh University ‘C’, which included several athletes who had only started rowing this season, enjoyed a good battle with Oxford Brookes University ‘B’ but they were unable to get the win.

The morning racing was concluded with Cameron Buchan, racing as Surfer’s Paradise Rowing Club, Australia, being beaten by D. Gutierrez of Spain in The Diamond Challenge Sculls.

Wednesday evening racing included Edinburgh University ‘A’ progressing after beating University of London ‘B’, and Scotland Rowing Team triallist Sarah McKay of Grosvenor Rowing Club easily winning her match against German counterpart P.L. Otto and progressing in The Princess Royal Challenge Cup.

Thursday was another early start for the Scottish supporters as Ben Parsonage, of Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club raced in The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, missing out on a win by 2 lengths against his Danish opposition. This race was followed quickly by Edinburgh University ‘A’ vs. Oxford University in The Island Challenge Cup. Unfortunately, the Edinburgh crew just missed out on progression by ½ a length.

The ASRA crew were next to the start line, supported by coach Holly Reid in the umpire’s launch. The girls lost out to the eventual winners from Wycliffe College. Cameron Buchan made his second event appearance, this time paired with J.D. Free in the The Double Sculls Challenge Cup. The Scottish / Australian combination raced well but were ultimately beaten by their German opposition.

During the lunch interval on Thursday, Scottish Rowing hosted a reception for members and guests to connect with friends old and new and enjoy light refreshments in the sunshine. Henley Cricket grounds were awash with Scottish club blazers, and it was wonderful to witness a great turnout and attendees in such high spirits. An excellent opportunity to reflect on racing and discuss the favourites heading into the later stages of the week, we look forward to a repeat effort in 2025!

Edinburgh University were once again tasked with closing out the Scottish efforts for day three of HRR. Race of the day had to go to Edinburgh University ‘B’ in The Island Challenge Cup who despite racing with a sub as a result of an injury sustained during the regatta, managed to put in another gutsy performance down the Henley track.  Congratulations to P. Moody (cox), F. Hughson (stroke), I. MacCallum, C. Faint, O. Burns, K. Robertson, S. Morgan, L. McLean and C. Glasby (bow) who once again came from behind to take victory, this time over Dutch opposition from A.A.S.R. Skøll.

Unfortunately, Edinburgh University ‘A’ were unable to overthrow the eventual winners from Oxford Brookes University in The Prince Albert Challenge Cup despite putting up a good fight and giving Brookes, featuring recent St Andrews University graduate Shay Bradley, their closest race of the week.

Friday saw the end of Edinburgh University ‘B’ in The Island Challenge Cup as they were beaten by University of London ‘A’ whilst Sarah McKay lost out by a margin of just three feet in The Princess Royal Challenge Cup to the eventual finalist from the USA.

Scotland also had a number of athletes representing in other crew boats – notably Jane Hardie (former GHS) in the winning Thames RC 8+ in The Wargrave Challenge Cup. Abigail Topp (former ASRA / URA) raced for Leander ‘A’ in The Town Challenge Cup who came second in the final by ¾ of a length. Abigail also raced the 8+ in The Remenham Challenge Cup. Miles Beeson (former ASRA) and Matt Fielding (former CARC/EUBC) both raced well, racing in Saturday’s semi-finals in The Grand Challenge Cup and The Thames Challenge Cup respectively.

Well done to all Scottish athletes and crews who competed at Henley Royal Regatta in 2024.  A full list of results can be found on the Henley Royal Regatta website here.