Crews from 27 nations head to Henley Royal Regatta
The 2024 edition of Henley Royal Regatta has received a record 772 entries, eclipsing the 2022 record of 739
The entry list features 554 domestic and 218 overseas entries, the latter breaking the 200 barrier for the first time. 496 of the entries are in the 16 men’s events and 276 in the 10 women’s events.
As is typical, the most populous events are the Temple Challenge Cup for student men’s eights, with 72 entries, and the two junior quadruple sculls events – the Fawley Challenge Cup for junior men, with 69 entries, and the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup for junior women, with 63 entries.
Amongst the 27 nations competing – the highest in the event’s 185-year history – are record entries from Germany (including reigning World Champion Oli Zeidler, who will be looking to defend his Diamond Sculls title), Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA, and a first-ever representation for Algeria, with their men’s Olympic single sculler.
Nearly 44% of these entries won’t make it through of the Qualifying Races on Friday. However, the regatta itself, which runs for six days from Tuesday, 2 July to Sunday, 7 July, has scheduled the most races ever – 409, up by 15 on last year.
Sir Steve Redgrave, Chair of the Committee of Management for Henley Royal Regatta, said: “What a summer of rowing we have in store. I am delighted to see record entry numbers at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, which is set to have a real blend of youth and experience amongst the crews. Establishing pathways from junior levels to the elite squads and keeping our athletes in the sport is always something I have been passionate about, which is why I’m so pleased to see such a breadth of entries this year.”
None of GB’s Olympic crews will be at Henley Royal this year, but some other nations’ Paris 2024 competitors will be. Sir Steve added: “We will see five male single scullers going head-to-head ahead of the Paris Olympics, and this year is also a fantastic opportunity for Under-23 teams to continue their development and test themselves against top-quality competition from around the world. I look forward to seeing those leading development crews targeting the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles in action out on the water, including a strong British eight in The Grand Challenge Cup.”
Qualifying Races start at 2pm this Friday, 28 June. The 2024 Draw takes place at 12 noon on Saturday, 29 June in Henley Town Hall.
