By Chris McCarthy with the Australian Rowing Team at the Henley Royal Regatta
Australia’s Men’s Eight has won the Grand Challenge Cup for the first time since 2018 in a record-equalling performance against The Netherlands.
The victory comes as the Australian Men’s Double and Men’s Quad deployed leads early in their own races to challenge respective event favourites New Zealand and Great Britain.
Following their victory over Great Britain on Saturday, the Men's Eight were challenged early by the Dutch, a combination Australia were yet to race in 2025.
By the Barrier marker, Australia led by just a canvas, a margin which continued to extend to the One Mile marker.
In the final 500m, Australia held their one length of advantage, crossing the line in a time that equalled the record set by Australia back in 2018.
Stroke seat Alexander Hill OAM, who also stroked the crew in 2018, saw the event as key in their progress toward September’s World Rowing Championships.
“Henley is a good step along the journey," Hill said.
"Just making sure we're doing the things we're doing well. It's a tricky course here so to be able to nail what we do here, that pays dividends when you come out to a World Championships.
“Full credit to the program at the moment and what Chris O'Brien's got us doing, it meant we were able to put together a decent race.”
Earlier in the day, Men’s Double Scull Oscar McGuinness and Mitchell Reinhard faced New Zealand’s Finlay Hamill and Ben Mason in their final.
The South Australian’s led the Kiwi’s for most of the race, before exchanging the lead twice between the Fawley and Remenham markers.
Ultimately, New Zealand crossed the line first with a margin of one and a half lengths.
Despite the result, McGuinness was pleased with both their execution, and the learnings gained.
“We knew it was going to take something special, and we thought we had that," McGuinness said.
"Even though in the end we didn’t, I’m proud of how we went about it.
“What we've taken away from it is our strengths are our strengths, and we sharpen those swords as much as we can. Don't sweat the small stuff.”
The final Australian race of the regatta saw the Men’s Quadruple Sculls contest Great Britain for the Queen Mother Challenge Cup.
Australia seized early ascendency, emerging from Temple Island three quarters of a length in front.
The new-look combination then did battle with the locals over the following kilometre, but succumbed to a move at the Fawley marker that saw Great Britain move away.
The British progressed to record a two and a half length victory and set a new record in the event.
Stroke Alexander Rossi praised the regatta for delivering learnings to carry on for the rest of the season.
“Henley has helped to solidify little bits and pieces of our race plan, where we gain speed, how we find out rhythm, what can disrupt our rhythm and how to make sure we keep it for as long as possible and of course, step on as well," Rossi said.
Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE praised Australia’s start the 2028 Olympic Cycle, whilst highlighting opportunities for further progress.
“It's the first tour in the Olympiad, and what's been really pleasing is how all the boats have gone about things, we saw that with the Men's Eight today with the length they rowed," Thompson said.
"That’s been a key point we've been trying to get across to the whole team. It's the same with the Men's Double and how much they've improved, and how hard they fought.
"We’ve seen that from the women as well, we had a great eights result and with the standalone four, they had some really good speed in Lucerne.
“We get to assess where we're up to and now we’ve got ten weeks until the World Championships to put some things in place.”
Sydney Rowing Club contested the final of the Wyfold Challenge Cup earlier in the day, in a test of adaptability as an equipment failure in London Rowing Club’s boat forced a re-row after the lunch break.
Sydney rowed well to pressure London early, however were unable to match their pace in a final that equalled a 36-year-old record.
The Australian Rowing Team will now travel home to begin preparations for the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China, from September 21 to 28.
How to Re-Watch Henley Royal Regatta 2025
Watch every race on the Henley Royal Regatta YouTube Channel.
Social Media:
Follow @HenleyRoyalRegatta and @rowingaustralia on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and race highlights.
Results:
Visit www.hrr.co.uk for the full results and event information.
RESULTS – Henley Royal Regatta Finals Day: Sunday
The Grand Challenge Cup: Austin Reinehr, Nikolas Pender, Jack Robertson OLY, Charles Batrouney, Fergus Hamilton OLY, Alex Nichol, Angus Dawson OLY, Alexander Hill OAM, Nicholas Dunlop - Defeated Hollandia Rowing Club by one length in a time of 5 minutes and 53 seconds to equal the course record.
The Double Sculls Challenge Cup: Oscar McGuinness, Mitchell Reinhard - Lost to New Zealand by one length.
The Queen Mother Challenge Cup: Nicholas Blackman, Johnson Daubney, Jackson Free, Alexander Rossi - Lost to Great Britain by two and half lengths.
The Wyfold Challenge Cup: Sydney Rowing Club lost to London Rowing Club 'A' by three and a half lengths.