Henley Women’s Regatta boasts a superb range of trophies, from the the West End Amateur Rowing Association Trophy to the specially commissioned Chairman’s Trophy, Read about their history and the winning crews.
Championship
Aspirational
Development
Junior
Para
Discontinued
The Ron Needs Challenge Cup
C8+ | Championship Eights
Sponsored by: the Colgan Foundation
This trophy was originally given to the regatta in 1988 by the Sports Council and named the Sports Council Cup. The Cup was renamed the Ron Needs Trophy in 2015 to mark the huge input into women’s rowing made by Ron. Ron attended the regatta to present it. Sadly Ron passed away in April 2016.
Annamarie Phelps said: “Ron never stopped thinking about how he could better support his athletes and his immense generosity with his expertise, time and resources made him a key part of the success of women’s rowing at a time when support for women’s rowing was very limited. He was a coach and mentor 24/7, always willing to listen and gently guide. I will always remember him taking great delight in contrasting my (poor) sculling technique to that of Thomas Lange, the great German sculler, in between outings at Longridge.”
Paul Thompson, formerly GB Rowing chief coach for women and lightweights, said: “He never lost his drive, steely determination or sense of humour that helped him coach medal-winning crews through decades of coaching. Rowing was in his blood, even the week before last he was giving me advice on the crews preparing for Rio. Ron has been a significant figure in GB Rowing’s success in lightweights and women’s crews over many decades. He will be immensely missed by many in the rowing fraternity.”
Until 2018 the event was named Elite Eights
2022 Winner
Crew: Brown University USA
Time: 04:28
Verdict: 2 2/3 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Oxford Brookes University
Time: 04:12
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: GB development crew
Time: 04:36
Verdict: Easily
Crew: Tees/Agecroft/Molesey/Gloucester/Headington/Nottingham/Reading University
Time: 05:10
Verdict: Easily
2012 Winner (Elite Eights)
Crew: Tees/Agecroft/Abingdon/Bath University/Clydesdale/Oxford Brookes University
Time: 05:20
Verdict: 1/2 lengths
Course Record
Crew: Ohio State University/GB development crew
Time: 04:36
Year: 2017/2019
The Avril Vellacott Cup
C4- | Championship Coxless Fours
Avril was a well-known sculptor. She did not row in her youth as her father disapproved of women rowing, so she did not become actively interested until after his death. She was a member of Twickenham RC and regularly attended HWR and other regattas. Avril presented the trophy in 1996.
The event was known as Elite Coxless Fours until 2018.
2022 Winner
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 04:54
Verdict: 7/8 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: University of London
Time: 04:41
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Edinburgh University
Time: 04:54
Verdict: 1/2 length
Crew: Cambridge University/Newcastle University/Bath University
Time: 05:04
Verdict: Easily
2014
(Event cancelled)
2013 Winner (Elite Coxless Fours)
Crew: Tees/Molesey/Agecroft/Reading University
Time: 05:32
Verdict: Easily
2012 Winner (Elite Coxless Fours)
Crew: Sport Imperial/Leander
Time: 05:43
Verdict: 1 2/3 lengths
Course Record
Crew: Edinburgh University
Time: 04:54
Year: 2019
The Borne Cup
C4x | Championship Quadruple Sculls
Sponsored by: Nina Padwick
The Borne Cup was presented in 1999 by Nina Padwick and Borne Regatta which is run by Mortlake Anglian and Alpha BC.
In 1932, a young woman called Daisy Borne was rowing for a recently formed club called Alpha Women’s Amateur RC. Her father, keen to encourage her, presented the club with a silver trophy for best eights. During those pre-war years, races to compete for this cup were organised by Alpha Women’s ARC. This was a great advance as there were few races for women at that time. The only other regular events for women’s eights were one run by Women’s ARA, one at Weybridge Ladies Regatta, and the Lady Fletcher Cup organised by St George’s Ladies RC. Since the event no longer exists it was felt appropriate that the cup be presented at HWR.
The event was known as the Elite Quadruple Sculls event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Leander Club ‘A’
Time: 04:51
Year: 2/3 length
2021 Winner
Crew: n/a
Time: n/a
Year: n/a
2019 Winner
Crew: Edinburgh Uni/Leander/Molesey/Newcastle Uni
Time: 04:48
Year: 2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Newcastle University
Time: 05:00
Verdict: 4 lengths
2017
No Event
2016 Winner (Elite Quadruple Sculls)
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 05:24
Verdict: 4 feet
2015 Winner (Elite Quadruple Sculls)
Crew: Stanford Uni USA
Time: 05:09
Verdict: Canvas
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 05:29
Verdict: 1 1/3 lengths
Course record
Edinburgh Uni/Leander/Molesey/Newcastle Uni
Time: 04:48
Year: 2019
The Redgrave Challenge Vase
C2- | Championship Coxless Pairs
Sponsored by: Sir Steve and Lady Ann Redgrave
The Redgrave Challenge Vase was presented by Sir Steve and Lady Anne Redgrave in 1997. Winners also receive a small replica vase.. The event was known as the Elite Coxless Pairs event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 05:17
Verdict: 3 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: University of London
Time: 04:41
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 05:24
Verdict: 3 1/2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 05:35
Verdict: 2 lengths
2017 Winner (Elite Coxless Pairs)
Crew: Banks Rowing Club Australia
Time: 05:34
Verdict: Easily
2016 Winner (Elite Coxless Pairs)
Crew: OUWBC/Reading
Time: 06:01
Verdict: Easily
2015 Winner (Elite Coxless Pairs)
Crew: Norske Studenters/Durham Uni
Time: 05:32
Verdict: 3 lengths
The W Peer Cup was presented by Bill Peer. Both he and his wife Barbara were great supporters of women’s rowing in general and HWR in particular, hence Bill presenting this trophy.
Bill was a coach at Cygnet RC and St George’s Ladies RC and also coached the 1966 GB women’s eight.
The event was known as the Elite Double Sculls event until 2018
Crew: Leander Club
Time: 06:01
Verdict: 3 2/3 lengths
Course Record
Crew: Univ of Edinburgh/Univ of London
Time: 05:15
Year: 2018
The George Innes Cup
C1x | Championship Single Sculls
George Innes was the father of Barbara Peer of St George’s Ladies RC.
Barbara presented the trophy in 1994 in his memory. Barbara and her husband Bill were regular visitors to the Chairman’s Enclosure, and both very generously left legacies to HWR in their wills. Barbara was one of four sisters who rowed with St George’s LRC and cox of the four which toured Australia in 1938 and the 1966 GB women’s eight. Her sister Thirza won the Championship Sculls several times.
The event was known as the Elite Single Sculls event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Bath University – R Wilde
Time: 05:38
Verdict: 4 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Nottingham RC – K Edwards
Time: 05:26
Verdict: Easily
2019 Winner
Crew: Molesey BC – E Luik
Time: 05:49
Verdict: 2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Capital Lakes Rowing Club (AUS) – Grzeskowiak
Time: 05:41
Verdict: 4 kengths
Crew: Sport Imperial – Gooderham
Time: 06:58
Verdict: Easily
Course Record
Crew: Capital Lakes Rowing Club (AUS) – Grzeskowiak
Time: 05:39
Year: 2018
The Haslam Trophy
CLwt 2x | Championship Lightweight Double Sculls
Sponsored by: Wentworth House Partnership
The Haslam Trophy was presented by Penny Haslam (née Palfrey) in 1999. Penny began her rowing career at Thames RC in 1974. Sculling became her passion and she was well rewarded with wins in quads, doubles and singles, as well as eights and fours, in domestic regattas, head of the river races, masters and world masters regattas.
As a lightweight most of these events were raced against heavyweight athletes. Lightweight events did not exist for women until 1985 and not until 1996 in the Olympics.
Penny’s trophy is therefore given in support of lightweight women’s double sculling.
The event was known as the Elite Lightweight Double Sculls event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Australian National University ‘A’ (AUS)
Time: 05:14
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Reading University
Time: 05:01
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: University of Tulsa USA
Time: 05:39
Verdict: 3 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Exeter University
Time: 05:16
Verdict: Easily
2017 Winner (Elite Lightweight Double Sculls)
Crew: Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club/Oxford Brookes University Boat Club
Time: 05:20
Verdict: Easily
2016 Winner (Elite Lightweight Double Sculls)
Crew: Wallingford Rowing Club – Hall
Time: 05:50
Verdict: 3/4 length
2015 Winner (Elite Lightweight Double Sculls)
Crew: University of London/Molesey BC
Time: 05:34
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
The Parkside Trophy was presented by George Walls in 1996. George was a member of Parkside RC before its demise.
Parkside was part of the National Amateur Rowing Association and when all clubs were taken under the wing of the ARA, its numbers fell until it was no longer viable, and it closed in 1962. George was one of the first Subscribers (now Friends) to HWR.
The event was known as the Elite Lightweight Coxless Pairs event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Cambridge University
Time: 05.30
Verdict: Easily
2021 Winner
Crew: n/a
Time: n/a
Verdict: n/a
2019 Winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 05:30
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Commercial Rowing Club (Ireland)
Time: 05:39
Verdict: 1 length
Crew: Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club
Time: 06:36
Verdict: Easily
2015 Winner (Elite Lightweight Coxless Pairs)
Crew: Imperial College
Time: 06:05
Verdict: 5 lengths
2014 Winner (Elite Lightweight Coxless Pairs)
Crew: Exeter University
Time: 05:54
Verdict: 2 lengths
2013 Winner (Elite Lightweight Coxless Pairs)
Crew: Durham Uni BC
Time: 06:10
Verdict: 4 lengths
2012
(No event)
Course Record
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 05:30
Year: 2019
The Godfrey Rowsports Trophy
CLwt 1x | Championship Lightweight Single Sculls
Sponsored by: the Colgan Foundation
The trophy was donated to the regatta by Godfrey Rowsports to support British lightweight women’s sculling in 1997. Sue Appelboom of Mortlake Anglian and Alpha BC won the trophy a record 10 times!
The event was known as the Elite Lightweight Single Sculls event until 2018
2022 Winner
Crew: Nottinghamshire County RA – O. Bates
Time: 05:36
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Nottinghamshire County RA – O. Bates
Time: 05:29
Verdict: Easily
2019 Winner
Crew: Bath University – L Macro
Time: 05:48
Verdict: 3 1/2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Newcastle University – Chestnutt
Time: 05:53
Verdict: 3 lengths
2017 Winner (Elite Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Edinburgh University Boat Club – Arlett
Time: 05:40
Verdict: 2 lengths
2016 Winner (Elite Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Edinburgh University Boat Club – Hart-Winks
Time: 06:42
Verdict: 1 length
Crew: Reading University – Burgess
Time: 06:00
Verdict: 1 length
2013 Winner (Elite Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Putney Town RC – Taylor
Time: 06:22
Verdict: 3 lengths
2012 Winner (Elite Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: University of London – Gade
Time: 06:49
Verdict: 2 feet
Course Record
Crew: Edinburgh University Boat Club – Arlett
Time: 05:40
Year: 2017
The Copas Cup
AC8+ | Aspirational Club Eights
Sponsored by: the Copas Partnership
The Copas Cup was originally awarded for the Elite Coxed Four event which was discontinued in 2010, after which it was awarded to the winner of the Senior Lightweight Double Sculls. Unfortunately the number of entries in the elite event fell and the two events were combined in 2016.
The course record holder for the Elite Coxed Four is Oxford Brookes University in 2010 in a time of 5:15, and Senior lightweight double sculls is Mortlake Anglian and Alpha Rowing Club (Roots/Brown) in 2014 in a time of 5:43.
The event was known as the Intermediate Club Eights prior to 2018.
Crew: Thames Rowing Club
Time: 05:08
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
2013 winner (Intermedaite Club Eights)
Crew: Lea Rowing Club
Time: 05:19
Verdict: 2 lengths
2012 winner (Intermedaite Club Eights)
Crew: Vesta Rowing Club
Time: 05:39
Verdict: 1/4 length
Course Record (Aspirational Club Eights)
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04:50
Year: 2018
Course record (Intermediate Club Eights)
Crew: Cantabrigian Rowing Club
Time: 04:47
Year: 2017
The Colgan Foundation Cup
AA8+ | Aspirational Academic Eights
Sponsored by: the Colgan Foundation
Initially sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers for many years, the trophy was renamed in 2016 as the Sharp Trophy.
In 2017 it was renamed the Colgan Foundation Trophy to recognise the support by the Colgan Foundation.
The Event was known as the Intermediate Academic Eights prior to 2018.
2022 winner
Crew: Oxford Brookes University
Time: 04:36
Verdict: 2 1/4 lengths
2021 winner
Crew: University of London ‘A’
Time: 04:17
Verdict: 2 1/4 lengths
2019 winner
Crew: Oxford Brookes University
Time: 04:42
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2018 winner
Crew: Oxford Brookes University
Time: 04:46
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
2017 winner (Intermediate Academic Eights)
Crew: Newcastle University
Time: 04:48
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
2016 winner (Intermediate Academic Eights)
Crew: Newcastle University
Time: 05:20
Verdict: 1 1/4 lengths
2015 winner (Intermediate Academic Eights)
Crew: Durham Univ BC (A)
Time: 05:05
Verdict: 1/3 length
2014 winner (Intermediate Academic Eights)
Crew: UCL (Turner)
Time: 05:08
Verdict: 1 foot
2013 winner (Intermediate Academic Eights)
Crew: Univ of London BC (Sephton)
Time: 05:15
Verdict: 2 lengths
The Cathy Cruickshank Trophy was presented to the regatta in 2009 by the Cruickshank family in remembrance of Cathy, who was entries secretary to the regatta between 2000 and 2006. Cathy gave unstintingly of her time to the regatta, always welcoming crews with a smile and went out of her way to help them. She particularly supported university rowing. Prior to 2018 this trophy was presented for Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours.
2022 Winner
Crew: K S R V Njord (NED) ‘A’
Time: 05.02
Verdict: 2 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Imperial College London
Time: 04:40
Verdict: 1 length
2019 Winner
Crew: KSRV Njord NED
Time: 05:04
Verdict: 3/4 length
2018 Winner
Crew: University of London Rowing Club
Time: 05:08
Verdict: 1/2 length
2017 Winner (Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours).
Crew: University of London
Time: 05:24
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
2016 Winner (Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours).
Crew: University of London
Time: 06:00
Verdict: 3 3/4 lengths
Crew: University of London
Time: 05:43
Verdict: 1 3/4 lengths
2013 Winner (Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours).
Crew: Exeter University (Phipkin)
Time: 05:49
Verdict: 1/2 length
2012 Winner (Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours).
Crew: Edinburgh University
Time: 06:15
Verdict: 2 3/4 lengths
Course Record
Crew: KSRV Njord NED
Time: 05:04
Year: 2019
Course Record (Intermediate Academic Coxed Fours)
Crew: University of London
Time: 05:21
Year: 2015
The Chairman’s Trophy
A4x | Aspirational Quadruple Sculls
The Chairman’s Trophy was given to the regatta by Diane Graham for the first Senior Quadruple Sculls event.
The trophy was designed by former HWR treasurer Elizabeth Finch and made by Frances Lester (daughter-in-law of the famous pioneering oarswoman Toby Lester). The trophy depicts the “puddles” of water carved out by the eight sculling blades.
Diane started rowing at Nottingham University before moving to the London area where she is a member of Walbrook RC, winning medals at the Scullers Head, Pairs Head and National Championships. She still rows and competes regularly. Diane was chairman of HWR for 15 years having also taken on the role of secretary prior to that. After standing down as chairman, Diane was awarded the British Rowing Medal of Honour.
2022 Winner
Crew: Edinburgh University ‘A’
Time: 04:55
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04:44
Verdict: Easily
2019 Winner
Crew: Nottingham RC/Strathclyde Park RC
Time: 05:04
Verdict: 3/4 length
2018 Winner
Crew: Molesey Boat Club
Time: 05:06
Verdict: 1 length
2017 Winner (Senior Quadruple Sculls)
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04:54
Verdict: 3 feet
Crew: Nottingham RC/Strathclyde Park RC
Time: 05:04
Year: 2018
Course Record (Senior Quadruple Sculls)
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04.54
Year: 2017
The Rosie Mayglothling Trophy
A2x | Aspirational Double Sculls
Sponsored by: Tim and Sarah Lohmann
The Rosie Mayglothling trophy was donated to the regatta by friends of Rosie and “UK Gold” to mark her contribution to rowing, as the first British winner of the Invitation Women’s Double Sculls at Henley Royal regatta in 1982 (with Astrid Ayling), as Olympic finalist and as the leading founder member of Henley Women’s Regatta.
During her time at British Rowing she has overseen research and innovation within the GB Rowing Team and contributed significantly to the review process for the team. Rosie has developed the curriculum content for coach education in British Rowing and produced a strategy for coaching and coach education which defines the coaching pathway from grass roots to high performance.
At the end of 2019 Rosie was awarded the OBE for services to rowing and to gender equality in sport and the British Rowing Medal of Honour
Until 2018 the trophy was presented for Senior Double Sculls.
2022 Winner
Crew: D S R Proteus-Eretes (NED)/T S R V Vi…
Time: 05:19
Verdict: 3 2/3 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Walbrook RC
Time: 05:08
Verdict: 2 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Leicester RC/Shiplake College
Time: 05:18
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
Crew: Walbrook Rowing Club
Time: 06:35
Verdict: 1/2 length
Course Record
Crew: Leicester RC/Shiplake College
Time: 05:18
Year: 2019
Course Record (Senior Double Sculls)
Crew: Bath University
Time: 05:23
Year: 2017
The Bernard Churcher Trophy
A1x | Aspirational Single Sculls
Given by Pauline Churcher in 2005 in remembrance of her husband, Bernard. Pauline and Bernard were secretary and treasurer of the Head of the River Race for 25 years until 1997.
Prior to 2018 this trophy was presented for the Senior Single Sculls Event.
Crew: Cardiff University – Hayes
Time: 05:52
Year: 2018
Course Record (Senior Single Sculls Event)
Crew: Agecroft – Thompson
Time: 05:50
Year: 2010
The Fiona Dennis Trophy
ALwt1x | Aspirational Lightweight Single Sculls
Donated by Richard Dennis to mark the achievements of his wife, Fiona.
Fiona started rowing in 1973 as a junior at Derby RC and is a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and now a FISA umpire. She umpired at the 2012 London Paralympics, is a past member of both the British Rowing Council, the British Rowing Executive Board and was, for many years, chairman of the HWR race committee.
Prior to 2018 this trophy was awarded for the Senior Lightweight Single Sculls event
2022 Winner
Crew: Cambridge University – M Clements
Time: 05:50
Verdict: 2/3 length
2021 Winner
Crew: University of Surrey – S Kennedy
Time: 05:58
Verdict: 3 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Surrey University – M Wedgewood
Time: 05:58
Verdict: 3 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: University of Edinburgh BC – Mcdonald
Time: 06:21
Verdict: Easily
2017 Winner (Senior Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Thames Rowing Club – Perry
Time: 05:56
Verdict: 4 lengths
2016 Winner (Senior Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Oxford Brookes University Boat Club – Mackie
Time: 06:42
Verdict: 3/4 length
Crew: Surrey University – M Wedgewood
Time: 05:58
Year: 2019
Course Record (Senior Lightweight Single Sculls)
Crew: Thames Rowing Club – Perry
Time: 05:56
Year: 2017
The Frank V Harry Cup
D4+ | Development Coxed Fours
The Frank V Harry Cup was first presented to Brent Regatta in 1965 by United Universities Women’s BC in recognition of ‘Mr Harry’s’ years of sterling work as their coach. Crews from the club represented GB at the Women’s European Rowing Championships from 1960-1965. At that time Brent (previously Willesden) was the only multi-lane event in Britain, and took place on Whit Monday on the Welsh Harp Reservoir where four lanes were marked with buoys. After that regatta perished, UUWBC rescued the cup and gave it to the National Championships to be presented for Women’s Elite Fours. The National Championships then decided to abolish presenting trophies altogether so it was rescued again by Pauline Churcher and presented to HWR in 1996 as it was felt its future would be safe in the hands of HWR.
Up to 2016 this was awarded for Senior Coxed Fours. In 2017 this cup was awarded for Senior Coxless Fours. From 2018 it has been for Development Coxed Fours.
2022 Winner (Development Coxed Four)
Crew: Surry University
Time: 05:26
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
Crew: Henley Rowing Club
Time: 05:22
Year: 2017/2019
The Bea Langridge Trophy
J4x | Junior Quadruple Sculls
Sponsored by: Scott Investment Partners LLP
The Bea Langridge Trophy was presented by the Head of the River Fours Committee in memory of Bea in 1999. Bea was a founder member of HWR and was the first entries secretary and secretary.
2022 Winner
Crew: Shiplake College ‘A’
Time: 04:54
Verdict: 1 length
2021 Winner
Crew: Shiplake College ‘A’
Time: 04:30
Verdict: 1 3/4 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 05:07
Verdict: 2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Henley Rowing Club
Time: 05:03
Verdict: 3/4 length
The Rayner Cup was donated to the regatta in 1999 by Pauline Rayner, the first female captain of Thames RC.
Pauline introduced rowing at Putney High School in 1992. Having started rowing herself at the age of 13 Pauline wanted to encourage juniors to race at HWR.
2022 Winner
Crew: Sydney (AUS)
Time: 05:21
Verdict: 2 1/4 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Peterborough City RC
Time: 05:07
Verdict: 4 lengths
2019 Winner
Crew: Sir William Perkins Sch
Time: 05:38
Verdict: 2 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Molesey Boat Club
Time: 05:42
Verdict: Easily
2017 Winner
Crew: Nottingham Rowing Club
Time: 05:41
Verdict: 1 length
Crew: Norske Studenters (NOR)
Time: 05:58
Verdict: 2 1/4 Lengths
2012 Winner
Crew: Norwich RC
Time: 06:32
Verdict: Easily
Course Record
Crew: Northwich RC
Time: 05:30
Year: 2003
The Di Ellis Trophy
J1x | Junior Single Sculls
This trophy was presented by Di Ellis in 1999. Dame Di Ellis was appointed chairman of British Rowing in 1989 and executive chairman in 1992, and oversaw its growth from a staff of 10 to 116 in 2012. Di was a founder member of Henley Women’s Regatta and chairman of the Women’s Rowing Commission.
Having rowed internationally, Di subsequently became a team manager and umpire before moving to the administrative side of the sport where she was recognised as Sunday Times Sports Woman Administrator of the Year, and by the IOC for services to women’s sport. In 2004, Di received a CBE for services to rowing and in 2013 was awarded a DBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, recognising a lifetime’s commitment to sport. In addition she became the first female Steward of Henley Royal Regatta.
Among other roles, Dame Di was a trustee of the British Olympic Foundation and the Torch Trophy Trust, a member of the BOA remuneration committee and a life vice-president of the British Olympic Association, president of British Rowing and a vice-president of the Sport & Recreation Alliance. A driving force behind her involvement was not only a passion for sport but also the desire to create opportunities for all which has included encouragement of women and past work with World Rowing on the development of disability rowing.
2022 Winner
Crew: Trentham BC – M Knight
Time: 05:52
Verdict: 3 3/4 lengths
2021 Winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School – Z Scheske
Time: 05:36
Verdict: Easily
2019 Winner
Crew: Glasgow Academy – A Buchanan
Time: 05:59
Verdict: 3 lengths
2018 Winner
Crew: Agecroft Rowing Club – Dooley
Time: 05:57
Verdict: Easily
2017 Winner
Crew: Exeter University BC – P Campbell
Time: 05:55
Verdict: 1 length
Crew: Henley Rowing Club
Time: 05:47
Verdict: 1 1/2 lengths
2013 Winner
Crew: Weybridge Rowing Club
Time: 06:05
Verdict: Canvas
2012 Winner
Crew: Sir W Perkins Sch – Binnion
Time: 06:24
Verdict: 1 length
Course Record
Crew: Marlow Rowing Club
Time: 05:27
Year: 2019
The Nina Padwick Trophy
J16 4x | Junior 16 Quadruple Sculls
Sponsored by: Nina Padwick
Presented to the regatta by Nina Padwick in 2010, this trophy was originally donated by Tom Green – Waterman to the Queen. In its later years, it belonged to a member of the now defunct Bedford Park Rowing Club.
The Vesta Cup – originally a pair of goblets – was presented to the regatta by Vesta Rowing Club.
From 1999 the event was named the Elite Lightweight Coxless Fours event until it received few entries and was discontinued in 2010.
The course record holder for the Lightweight Coxless Fours is Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Rowing Club in 2010 in a time of 5:16.
The Grosvenor Cup
Para-Rowing PR3 1x | Single Sculls
The Grosvenor Cup was presented by Grosvenor Rowing Club, Chester, in 2015 to celebrate 40 years of women members at the club and the launch of their adaptive rowing programme.
The club wished to celebrate the successes the club had enjoyed in a long-standing relationship with HWR. This included Grosvenor RC life member, Juliet Machan, and past member Mick Howe serving on the HWR committee. Grosvenor was one of the first clubs to appoint a woman as captain.
In 2019 competitors competed over the full HWR course where as prior to that the event was held over 1000m.
Invesco was a long standing supporter of the regatta, and the naming of a trophy thanked them for their continued support. The trophy was presented from 2009 until 2017 for Intermediate Club Eights.
In 2018 the Trophy was presented for Aspirational Club Eights.
Following the 2018 Regatta Invesco discontinued their sponsorship and this trophy is no longer presented.
2018 winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04:53
Verdict: 3 lengths
Intermediate Club Eights
2017 winner
Crew: Cantabrigian Rowing Club
Time: 04:47
Verdict: Canvas
2016 winner
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 05:30
Verdict: Easily
Crew: Thames Rowing Club
Time: 05:08
Verdict: 2 1/2 lengths
2013 winner
Crew: Lea Rowing Club
Time: 05:19
Verdict: 2 lengths
2012 winner
Crew: Vesta Rowing Club
Time: 05:39
Verdict: 1/4 length
Course record Aspirational Club Eights – only offered for 1 year
Crew: Tideway Scullers School
Time: 04:53
Verdict: 3 lengths
Course record Intermediate Club Eights
Crew: Cantabrigian Rowing Club
Time: 04:47
Year: 2017
The Rankine Trophy
ELwt4x | Elite Lightweight Quadruple Sculls
Jean Rankine was the first deputy captain of Thames Rowing Club. She won a gold medal at the National Championships in the double sculls with Liz Lorrimer of Nottingham Boat Club and a silver with Penny Haslam in 1977. She presented the trophy in 1999. This event was discontinued after the 2017 regatta.
2016 Winner
Crew: Wallingford Rowing Club
Time: 05:31
Verdict: 1 1/2 lengths
Crew: Wallingford Rowing Club
Time: 05:43
Verdict: 2 lengths
Course Record
Crew: Mortlake, Anglian & Alpha BC
Time: 05:03
Year: 2009
The G P Jeffries Cup
S8+ | Senior Eights
G.P. Jefferies was Captain of Cygnet RC between 1935 and 1957. The club presented the trophy in his memory in 1996. The event was discontinued after the 2017 regatta.
2017 Winner
Crew: Molesey Boat Club
Time: 04:40
Verdict: 4 1/2 lengths
2016 Winner
Crew: Princeton University (USA)
Time: 05:09
Verdict: Canvas
