This past weekend, the historic Henley Royal Regatta once again brought together the best of British and international Rowing talent. Among them were several of our Old Vikings proudly representing their universities and clubs.

A special highlight of this years Regatta was the entry of a full crew of recent leavers racing under the Shiplake Vikings Rowing Club in The Wargrave Challenge Cup. This all-OV eight, coxed by 2025 leaver Alex Erb, delivered an outstanding performance in their race on Tuesday, beating Nottingham Rowing Club. Unfortunately, their campaign came to an end on Wednesday as they went head to head with Mercantile Rowing Club. 

Crew Line-up:

1 Ellie Webb (22E)

2 Lara Vahle (24B)

3 Alli Merritt (24B)

4 Izzy Blake-Hurworth (21W)

5 Merry Oakes (22B)

6 Mia Vickerman (22O)

7 Emily Over (24B)

8 Sophia Foreman (24W)

Cox Alex Erb (25E)

A huge congratulations to all the OVs in the crew - we are incredibly proud that they continue to support and represent the College.

In addition to the Shiplake Vikings Crew, a number of OVs qualified and raced at this years regatta:

• On Tuesday, Ned Floyd (23E) raced for Nottingham University in The Temple Challenge Cup, unfortunately losing out to Dutch Club, Asopos de Vliet
• Maya Jackson (23E) rowed for Durham University 'B' in The Island Challenge Cup, delivering a strong performance before bowing out on Wednesday
• Representing the University of London in The Temple Challenge Cup, Ed Dallas (22O) faced the later winners of the Cup, Harvard 'A', on Wednesday
• Richard Adams (19S) competed with Marlow Rowing Club 'A' in The Thames Challenge Cup before bowing out to Leander Club
• Fred Fox (23W) and Rocco Pritchard (22W) rowed for Oxford Brookes 'D' in The Temple Challenge Cup, progressing to Thursday with before being narrowly beaten by Edinburgh University
• Racing in The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup for Edinburgh University, Rob Humphris (21W) made it to Friday before bowing out to Marlow Rowing Club
• Ben Brockway (20W) represented Newcastle University in The Prince Albert Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-finals and narrowly missing out on a place in the final after a close race against Edinburgh University.
• Rowing for Bristol University, Jake Birch (22B) also made it to the semi-finals of The Prince Albert Challenge Cup, narrowly missing the final as they were edged out by the University of London
• Megan Hadfield's (22W) Durham University crew made it to the semi-finals of The Island Challenge Cup before bowing out to Rutgers University 'A'
• On Friday, Jess Weir's (23B) Leander Club and Hartbury University crew faced Cambridge in The Bridge Challenge Plate. The Cambridge boat included fellow OV, Sophia Hahn (19B), who went on to reach the semi-final before being defeated by Oxford Brookes 'A'
• Emily Downing (24S) had a standout regatta with Leander Club as she made it all the way to the final of The Wargrave Challenge Cup. Her crew delivered a brilliant campaign and were runners-up to the Molesey Boat Club 'A'
• Jack Duggan (24E) had a fantastic Regatta representing Harvard University 'A' in The Temple Challenge Cup. His crew stormed through the heats and claimed victory in the final against Oxford Brookes 'A' on Sunday - a phenomenal achievement!

We are incredibly proud of all our Old Vikings who competed this year and look forward to seeing what they do next!