Nick Jones30 June 2025 5:00:21 PM3 min read

#HRR25 Preview: Australia returns to the Thames with strength, speed and history in its sights

Henley Royal Regatta returns in 2025 with record-breaking entries and a packed international field.

The six-day event features 768 crews from 19 nations, including 179 international entries and 589 from England.

A total of 4367 athletes will contest 404 races in one of the most prestigious and historic events on the rowing calendar.

Australia arrives with experience and a thirst for the Henley Cups.

From Olympic champions to #ARC25 champions, Australian crews will line up in the premier events and across multiple junior and club categories.

Australian Rowing Team Crews

The Grand Challenge Cup (Open Men’s Eight)

Australia’s Men’s Eight arrives at Henley as a genuine contender, led by Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Hill OAM in the stroke seat and coxed by Nick Dunlop. Hill last raced the Henley course in 2018, when Australia set the still-standing course record and lifted the Grand Challenge Cup, a benchmark this crew will aim to challenge. Several members of the eight come from Australia’s back-to-back Gold medal-winning men’s four, adding power and pedigree to the lineup.

Full Crew: Nikolas Pender, Jack Robertson OLY, Charles Batrouney, Angus Dawson OLY, Fergus Hamilton OLY, Alex Nichol, Austin Reinehr, Alexander Hill OAM, Nicholas Dunlop (c)

The Remenham Challenge Cup (Open Women’s Eight)

Australia’s Women’s Eight returns with the same powerful lineup that claimed Bronze at the World Cup in Varese. They’ll face strong opposition from Leander/Oxford Brookes and the Netherlands, setting the stage for another high-quality contest against some of the world’s top crews.

Full Crew: Emmie Frederico, Eliza Gaffney, Georgie Gleeson, Ella Bramwell, Georgina Rowe OLY, Jaime Ford, Paige Barr OLY, Jacqueline Swick OLY, Hayley Verbunt OLY (c)

The Queen Mother Challenge Cup (Open Men’s Quadruple Sculls)

Australia’s Men’s Quad has proven itself capable of racing with the world’s best, placing fifth in a stacked A-Final in Lucerne. With Blackman, Daubney, Free and Rossi combining international experience and raw speed, this crew has shown they can take on Olympic champions. With a sharp performance at Henley, they’ll be well-placed to challenge for a spot in the final.

Full Crew: Nicholas Blackman, Johnson Daubney, Jackson Free, Alexander Rossi

The Princess Royal Challenge Cup (Open Women’s Single Sculls)

Laura Gourley OLY brings a strong World Cup campaign into one of Henley’s most challenging solo events. A senior team regular with a growing international reputation, Gourley will test herself against GB’s Lauren Henry and Lithuania’s Viktorija Senkuté in a draw filled with Olympic medallists.

Full Crew: Laura Gourley OLY

The Town Challenge Cup (Open Women’s Four)

Australia’s open Women’s Four features key members of last weekend’s Bronze medal winning Eight.

Full Crew: Eleanor Price, Taylor Caudle, Emily Sheppard, Katherine Easton

Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup (Open Men’s Pair)

Salisbury and Smith bring power and rhythm to one of Henley’s most competitive events.

Full Crew: Mitch Salisbury, Nicholas Smith

Double Sculls Challenge Cup (Open Men’s Double Sculls)

McGuinness and Reinhard take on a quality field after strong development through the World Cup season. Their results reflect a crew growing in cohesion and speed, getting ready to turn close margins into wins.

Full Crew: Oscar McGuinness, Mitchell Reinhard

Australian club and school crews to watch

Australian club and school crews will once again feature strongly across the junior and intermediate events.

The Stoner Challenge Trophy: Olympic champion Emma Twigg partners with Grace Sypher, Australia’s 2024 U23 World Champion in the Lightweight Single.
Prince Philip Challenge Trophy: Mercantile RC and Kinross Wolaroi School
Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup: Canberra Girls Grammar School and Mercantile RC
Fawley Challenge Cup: Marist College Canberra and Kinross Wolaroi School
Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup: St Ignatius’ College Riverview
Thames Challenge Cup: Sydney RC and Barbarians (QLD)
Britannia and Wyfold Challenge Cups: Sydney RC
Wargrave Challenge Cup: Mercantile RC

Australian entries in open-class events

Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup: Giorgia Patten OLY and Bronwyn Cox OLY
Silver Goblets: Patrick Holt OLY and Rohan Lavery
Prince of Wales Challenge Cup: Dominic Frederico joins three Leander athletes in a strong composite quad

How to Follow Henley Royal Regatta 2025

Dates: Tuesday July 1 - Sunday, July 6
Location: Henley-on-Thames, England

Livestream:
Watch every race live on the Henley Royal Regatta YouTube Channel. Commentary, live results, and replays are available throughout the week.

Social Media:
Follow @HenleyRoyalRegatta and @rowingaustralia on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and race updates.

Race Times (AEST):
Racing begins from 6:30 PM AEST daily. Finals take place on Sunday July 6.

Results and Schedule:
Visit www.hrr.co.uk for live results, daily draws, and full event information.