Henley Royal winners 2025
There were cheers and tears as Headington Rye Oxford’s rowers crossed the line at Henley Royal Regatta to victory, setting a course record in the process.
For the third time out of the five years the event has taken place, the School’s 1st Eight were declared winners of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy – one of the most esteemed trophies in the sport.
The rowers automatically qualified and had a ‘bye’ for the first round, then fought off competition from Sir William Perkins School, US National silver medallists Newport Aquatic Center and local challengers St Edward’s School before facing off against Shiplake College in the final.
It was a hard-fought race, with the Headington Rye girls edging a one-foot lead at the Barrier then extending it to half a length by Fawley – fiercely contested by Shiplake at Remenham before Headington Rye fought back a two-foot lead outside the enclosures.
The crews battled it out right to the end but Headington Rye held onto their advantage, sneaking across the finish line in a record time of 7:09, smashing the previous course record by four seconds just a quarter of a boat length ahead of their competitors.
