Strong entry expected for 160th Henley Royal Regatta
16th June 2009Entries close today (Tuesday 16 June) for the 2009 Henley Royal Regatta and spectators at the world-famous event look set to be treated to a feast of top class action.
The scene looks set for a strong British entry including potentially Olympic gold medallists Andrew Triggs Hodge and Peter Reed and several other leading boats.
New Zealand, now one of the world’s top rowing nations, will enter its full national squad. The Diamond Challenge Sculls, the men’s single sculls event, looks set to feature at least three of the four top scullers in the world. World champion Mahe Drysdale, Olympic champion Olaf Tufte and Olympic finalist Alan Campbell have all announced their intention to race.
Founded in 1839, the Regatta will also have a Chinese entry for the first time. Crews from Sichuan Province have been training in Nottingham since early June under the watchful eye of Loughborough University Boat Club Head Coach Mitchell Rosenlund and will enjoy a competitive outing at the Regatta.
Meanwhile, the world recession has not apparently impacted on entries from the American Universities and Schools who make the Regatta an annual fixture.