Rowing in the British Wind: Champion Erin Kennedy Claims the Day at Henley Women's Regatta
Sizzling sun, dripping sweat, and powerful gusts: The unforgettable highlights from the conclusion of Henley Women's Rowing Competition
The Iron Rowing Lady, Erin KennedyErin Kennedy, a seasoned coxswain and two-time Paralympic champion, shined at HWR 2025, coxing a composite eight made up of Durham University BC, University of London BC, and Leander Club, to win the Ron Needs Challenge Cup against Thames RC 'A'.
Henley bustled with excitement as the final day brought an electrifying Championship Eights final. Despite the gusty headwinds, Erin lead her team to a thrilling victory, clinching the title.
When asked, Erin shared her excitement, "I've never won here, so it's pretty amazing to race in a final like that. It was overwhelmingly exciting!"
Windy, Yet Thrilling RacesThe wind made for a tricky final day, with no record times set. However, there was no shortage of enthralling races, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Imogen Grant, another HWR ambassador and Olympic and World champion, added to her crown by winning the George Innes Cup for championship single sculls. Imogen, who previously raced at HWR in 2018, felt a strong connection to being back, appreciating the close proximity to the bank and the supportive cheers of the audience.
First-time Winners and Aspirational StarsFirst-time winners of 2025 included the University of St Andrews' Hansine Marshall, who dominated in the Bernard & Pauline Churcher Cup for aspirational single sculls. Another exciting win came from the Northampton RC/Nottingham RC composite in the Rayner Cup for junior double sculls, securing their first victory.
Meanwhile, the University of Birmingham BC and Leicester RC both won their first trophies as non-composite crews in the Haslam-Palfrey Trophy and the Rosie Mayglothling Trophy for Championship Lightweight Double Sculls and Aspirational Double Sculls respectively.
Thames RC and Oxford Brookes University BCThames RC and Oxford Brookes University BC both marked remarkable achievements with consecutive wins in the Aspirational Club and Academic Eights categories. However, neither team had an easy path to victory, with Thames batling near neighbours London RC to claim their win by mere quarter of a length.
Thames RC also took the Lester Trophy for Club Coxless Fours after defeating Upper Thames RC at home.
Reading University BC Shines in Quadruple and Double ScullsReading University BC snatched both the Borne Trophy for Championship Quadruple Sculls and the W Peer Cup for Championship Double sculls.
The Junior CategoriesWycliffe College BC continued their streak in the Bea Langridge Trophy for Quadruple Sculls, winning for a third year in a row. Headington School BC maintained their dominance in the Peabody Cup for Eights, securing a consecutive win. Edinburgh University BC won the Frank V Harry Cup for Development Coxed Fours for a third consecutive year.
Personal Records and International SuccessesIn the PR3 Single Sculls, Amalia Sangiovanni Vincentelli of Rob Roy BC took home the Grosvenor Cup, defeating defending champion Samantha Gough of St Andrew BC in the final. Sangiovanni Vincentelli set a course record in the heats with a time of 6:42.0, following Gough's 2024 record-breaking time of 6:52.0.
KSRV Njord scored the Cathy Cruickshank Trophy for Academic Coxless fours, after an all-Dutch final against USR Triton. The Godfrey Rowsports Trophy for Championship Lightweight Single Sculls was taken by Argentinian Olympian Sonia Baluzzo.
HWR chairman Naomi Ashcroft praised the outstanding level of rowing witnessed across the event, demonstrating the growing strength and competitiveness in women's rowing. She thanked the partners, supporters, ambassadors, and volunteers who contributed to the event's success.
As the dust settles on Henley Women's Regatta 2025, it's now time to gear up for the British Rowing Club Championships. Make sure to get your entries in before 8th July!
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- Erin Kennedy, the iron rowing lady, asserted her sports prowess in the challenging conditions of the Henley Women's Regatta, securing the Ron Needs Challenge Cup for rowing in a thrilling Championship Eights final.
- Despite the wind making for tricky conditions and no record times being set, various sports enthusiasts, including Imogen Grant and Hansine Marshall, also claimed victories in different categories, adding excitement to the overall races.
