Latest news with #HenleyRoyalRegatta
Irish Independent
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Fiona Murtagh rescued from the water in dramatic scenes at Irish Rowing Championships
In disruptive crosswind conditions at the National Rowing Centre, the Galway woman was in charge of the senior single sculls final but fell in with 500 metres to go and had to be rescued. There were moments of real worry before she scrambled from the water into the launch. Mags Cremen of UCD went on to win the title. 'Because it's an easterly wind, the waves are quite big,' Murtagh told the Irish Independent. 'My blade (oar) clipped the water and just shot out of my hand. It was like a bullet. And by the time I realised it was out of my hand my face was in the water. Just one of those things!' 'That was my first flip in a single. And it's been captured on TG4 and on YouTube and on national television,' she says, laughing. 'We can teach the kids flip drills (with the video)!' While the European and World Cup silver medallist was impressively calm as she told her story, she had difficulty breaking free. 'My foot got caught, so it was a bit tricky getting out of the boat,' she says. 'My heel restraint was quite tight, so my ankle got stuck. I was stuck under the boat for a bit. Which is a little bit scary. But the safety launches are great. 'But, sure, it was a good race. Fair play to Mags (Cremen) and the girls, they kept their heads above the water!' Cremen, rowing for UCC, had rowed steadily to stay in a clear second place. She did not see Murtagh go in as she was concentrating on keeping her bladework clean in rough conditions. 'Unfortunate for her,' she said, adding that she was delighted to get a win for UCC in her last regatta with the club, as she finishes up in the college. The men's single was much less dramatic. Skibbereen's Fintan McCarthy was peerless as he flew clear of his challengers, including the Olympic bronze medallist from Paris, Philip Doyle. 'I just clipped too many waves,' Doyle said. 'I stopped the boat about three times.' The Belfast Boat Club man wanted to get back into the Ireland double, and stepped back from the Ireland system when it was not happening. However, he said he will now go back into the squad. Neptune also rued the waves. They were leading the men's junior 18 coxed four when they caught a crab (missed a stroke). Coláiste Iognáid came through to win. Enniskillen added the women's junior 18 eight to the men's title in fine style. UCD will wear black armbands for the women's and men's senior eights final later in the day to mark the passing of rowing great Tom Sullivan. A phenomenal coach and teacher, he guided UCD to the Ladies Plate title at Henley Royal Regatta and coached UCD women's crews well into his eighties. UCD's women's crew have renamed their boat Tom Sullivan for their final.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Henley Royal Regatta: Blazers, boats and the best sparkling wine, writes REBEKAH ABSALOM
As someone who had never attended Henley Royal Regatta before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'd heard whispers of blazers, boat shoes and sparkling wine, but nothing quite prepared me for the full spectacle of Finals Day. Set along the River Thames in the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames, the regatta is a rich blend of high society, sporting and buzzing crowds. On the final day of racing, the energy is palpable - from the roar of supporters cheering on the crews to the clinking of glasses in the enclosures. Whether you're there for the elite-level sport, the social scene or simply the people-watching, Henley delivers a quintessentially British summer experience like no other. Attracting more than 300,000 visitors across six days, the event hosts over 400 races - and carries a long-standing royal seal of approval. It was granted its 'Royal' title in 1851 when Prince Albert became its first royal patron, a tradition upheld by every reigning monarch since. Style is a big part of the spectacle, with two main enclosures offering different dress codes. The exclusive Stewards' Enclosure - which runs along the main stretch of river -requires formal attire: dresses or skirts below the knee for women, or tailored trouser suits. The Regatta Enclosure, meanwhile, is more relaxed, where summer tailoring, nautical stripes and smart-casual dresses are the order of the day. Embracing the theme, I wore the Kami dress by Ghost, a navy and white midi with a contrast collar and tie-front detail. I teamed it with M&S ballerinas and the Mosaic bag by Strathberry - a brand worn by a host of royals, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Duchess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall. The official website mentioned that hats were customary, so I added a straw boater from John Lewis. I overheard someone say, 'People used to dress up with heels and hats - now it's a lot more relaxed.' And they weren't wrong. Many guests were mixing club blazers with floaty dresses and trainers, striking the perfect balance between tradition and comfort. In fact, blazers were everywhere. Bright, striped, colour-blocked or piped, they were impossible to miss. At Henley Royal Regatta, these jackets do more than make a fashion statement - they represent rowing clubs, history and crew pride. The Lady Margaret Boat Club of St John's College, Cambridge, is credited with pioneering the look in 1825, donning 'blazing red' jackets - hence the term 'blazer'. Made from thick wool flannel, they were designed to keep rowers warm during early morning outings on the river. That said, there's also an earlier tale - one that traces the term back to the crew of the HMS Blazer, who famously wore navy and white striped jackets. Either way, the blazer evolved into the now-iconic style we associate with rowing today. We were lucky to access the Stewards' Enclosure, reserved for members and guests, with front-row views of the racing and the riverbank's historic buildings. Rows of branded deckchairs lined the lawn, and shaded seating came in handy during a couple of sudden downpours. With a relaxed buzz and prime viewing, it was the perfect spot to soak up the day. Just outside the enclosures, a range of food stalls served everything from dumplings to wood-fired pizza, while a mint green vintage double-decker bus - run by Nyetimber - offered glasses of its signature English sparkling wine. Its flagship Classic Cuvée (available at Majestic and Sainsbury's) is produced in the traditional Champagne method and delivers flavours of golden apple, honey, sweet spice and toasted brioche. It's as delicious as it sounds. There are plenty of shopping opportunities too - from Crew Clothing's regatta-themed pieces (the blazers and polka-dot dresses were everywhere), to gifts and homeware. This year also marked a special collaboration: a limited-edition Merrythought bear dressed in a miniature Crew blazer and wearing a replica of the Stewards' Member's Badge, released in honour of the Regatta's new royal patron, King Charles. Only 150 bears have been made, all handcrafted and available exclusively on site and online. Elsewhere, a nearby bandstand played cheerful live music, adding to the celebratory spirit of the day. There's no doubt that Henley Royal Regatta is the most prestigious rowing event in the world - the crown jewel of both the summer sporting calendar and the British social season. Conveniently located just outside London, it's a brilliant day out, offering a unique blend of sport, style and tradition. Shop my outfit Ghost Kami Puff Sleeve Tea Dress £109 Shop
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Pippa Middleton's affordable Grand Prix wedge espadrille heels are selling fast
Pippa Middleton copied her big sister Kate with a comfy-looking pair of espadrille wedges from a readily available brand Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has been spotted on countless occasions in a certain pair of espadrille wedges, wearing them with everything from wide-leg jeans to flowing midi dresses for all kinds of occasions. Now, her little sister Pippa Middleton has followed suit, choosing to sport the comfy-looking shoes to the Silverstone Grand Prix over the weekend. The wedges in question are Castaner's Carina self-tie canvas wedge espadrilles, £120 on Selfridges. Word has gotten around about Pippa's shoe choice because there's now limited stock in many of the popular sizes. So, if you're keen to get a pair of your own, we'd suggest acting fast. As we say, Kate is also a big fan of this exact style of wedge, having worn them on many occasions, including the Chelsea Flower Show and Henley Royal Regatta. It's also easy to see why the Castaner Carina shoes are a top Royal pick for casual and more dressy events. The espadrilles are made from 100% canvas and feature self-tie fastenings, closed round toes, woven patterns on the sides, all-over canvas texture and, most crucially, a comfy low wedge heel that measures 2.3". Essentially, it's the perfect shoe choice for days when you're spending a lot of time on your feet but you also still want to look polished. If you love a bargain, La Redoute is also offering a version of the Carine canvas wedges for £64.99 in a slightly darker colourway. However, stock is dwindling fast. If you're interested in the rest of Pippa's F1 outfit details, she also carried a new accessory to the racing event: Emmy London's Mabel Bag in the tan leather colourway, £595. As for her dress, it's from Usisi Sister and is priced at £415. Currently, stock is still available in sizes S through to XL. Her jacket, which matches perfectly with the bag and heels, is an old-season Sezane piece. Although the Castaner wedges aren't breaking the bank by royal standards, the £120 price tag on Selfridges may be a little steep still. If this is the case, we've managed to track down an almost identical pair at Crew Clothing which will save you some pennies, with the Faith Classic Heeled Espadrille priced at a much for budget-friendly £60. The Faith sandals mirror Princess Kate 's thanks to their espadrille style, with a jute wedge heel and suede closed toes. The suede is made from real leather and comes in a range of three colours, including beige, pale pink and black. Alternatively, we also love New Look's versions, the Off White Faux Leather Woven Closed Toe Wedge Sandals, £35.99. Their adjustable strap and wedge heel ensure a comfortable fit, while the raffia trim and ribbon tie detailing around the ankles give the shoes an elevated feel.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Matthew Pinsent interview: Time was right for Steve Redgrave to go
The temperature is so hot that gentlemen have been allowed to remove their jackets in the stewards' enclosure. Yet Sir Matthew Pinsent is resolutely wearing his navy blazer despite the sweat-inducing heat haze which hangs over Henley-on-Thames. And so he should, as Pinsent is only a few minutes into his new role as chief umpire of Henley Royal Regatta, a position which requires him to be impeccably turned out, and have impeccable timekeeping. I was told he would arrive for our interview at 9:38am precisely – and during the chat he whips out a small electronic timer, to make sure we do not overrun. Time (and the umpire's launch) waits for no man, not even a quadruple Olympic gold medallist. Pinsent's former rowing partner, Sir Steve Redgrave, recently relinquished the reins as chairman of HRR after a decade in charge, with fellow 1992 Olympian Richard Phelps now at the helm. Pinsent, meanwhile, has thrown himself into umpiring – not only at Henley, but at the Boat Race, National Schools and other regattas. But with Pinsent part of the HRR committee who decided it was time for Redgrave to step aside as chairman and Phelps to step up, has there been any awkwardness? 'No, look, it comes to us all, there'll be time when everyone has to step back,' says Pinsent, robustly. 'As a steward what you learn pretty quickly is the regatta outlives you in a literal sense, but also in a professional sense. You've got to give it your best shot when you're in a position to do so, and then when the time has come for you to hand it over, you hand it over. Bluntly, the regatta has changed more in the last 12 years, 15 years, particularly under Steve's chairmanship, than it did in the previous 40.' Pinsent confirms parity between male and female racing at HRR is Phelps's aim. While the junior and premier events are equal, there is work to be done on the club and intermediate levels, despite the introduction of a new women's eight event, the Bridge Challenge Plate. He will not be drawn when I ask about recent rowing controversies involving the coaching at Oxford Brookes, the eligibility row between his alma mater, Oxford, and Cambridge in the Boat Race, and the recent sexual-assault scandal at his former club Leander, which first admitted women in 1998. One of the men involved in the recent Telegraph investigation has since been suspended by British Rowing. But what he will say is that 'the efforts to make rowing more open are only to be welcomed'. That goes for the regatta, too. He adds: 'Henley has always been about the best in the sport competing one on one out on the water. That's never going to change. But that does not mean it's not accessible or achievable for people at a relatively modest level, particularly at junior level. You can train and you can learn to row. There are people here who have learned to row within the last two years who are racing. That is meritocratic, and we're going to try our best to keep it as open and meritocratic as we possibly can. The event and the sport needs breadth across all the levels.' Returning to his own umpiring role, it is clear Pinsent is passionate about supporting the sport that has given him so much, personally and professionally. 'I find it a really lovely way of giving back to the sport,' he says. 'It started almost as soon as I was a steward [at HRR]. I became a qualified umpire for the Thames region, then multi-lane, and World Rowing, and here. There's a group of nine or 10 including the chairman, and we divvy up the races and make sure umpiring is consistent and the rules are applied equally. Henley writes its own rules, which is wonderful, but also can get complicated at times.' The umpire has the power to disqualify a crew: it's a heartbreaking decision to have to make, when rowers have trained for so long and so hard to get to Henley. 'It's sad for the crew but as long as you're sure in your own mind, and as long as you're confident,' Pinsent says. 'The infringement has to be so blatant, it's rarely a grey area.' It is a busy few days for Pinsent – but there is one crew he definitely will not be umpiring this year. That is Marlow Rowing Club A, a junior girls' quad scull, competing in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup on Thursday. Why? Because his daughter Eve is in the crew. Will he watch? 'Because I've got umpiring to do, it's quite difficult to step out. I certainly won't be umpiring her race. That's a no-no. But I'm not imagining I'm going to be able to watch her race from start to finish. I might see it as I go down for another race. She does her thing, I do mine. And we'll meet at the end of the day, and it'll be good news or not.' As someone who knows how to win, he will surely give his daughter a bit of advice before the start? Far from it. '[I say] nothing,' he says. 'I stay out of it. She has a coach for that.' He is not one to interfere with training, either. 'I tried quite hard to stay out of it because it's not that useful. Either you roll your sleeves up and get involved in coaching in a formal way, and then that's a whole other challenge if you're coaching your children. Or you are a rowing parent and you stay out of it for other reasons,' he says. While all three of Pinsent's children, including twins Jonah and Lucas, followed him into the sport, he's happy for them to find their own way, too. 'One of my sons has decided that's it. Never wants to row again. That's completely fine. Everyone reaches that point, and he's off doing his thing, which is great. We've got two left who are still rowing, [with Eve] competing this week. It's giving them a lot. I love the impact it's had on them. It's really beneficial.' Still, every rowing parent wants to see their child walk away with a Henley medal (Pinsent has 14 to his name, in coxless pairs and fours). I ask how he rates Eve's chances against the dominant junior girls' crew, Wycliffe. His answer makes me wonder whether he might be a little more locked in than he confesses. 'They did well at Henley Women's – they were second. They did well at National Schools, they were third. The trajectory is good, but Henley is a funny thing. It's not a six-lane race, it's not a straightforward speed test. It's match racing in all the best and worst ways. We're going to find out [if they can beat Wycliffe]. I don't know whether anyone can. That's what we're here to find out.' As for Pinsent himself, he's at ease with his decision to hang up his oars, having retired in November 2004. 'Been there, done that. Don't worry about it.' Does he do any rowing now? 'No! Only indoors at home, where no one can see me.' With his daughter involved in the sport, it's natural Pinsent's keen to encourage other women to give it a go. Change at the once men-only regatta has been constant if not especially speedy since women first raced here in 1981: the number of female entries this year is double that of 2019. But HRR and rowing cannot rest on their laurels. It may be one of our most successful Olympic sports, but at the grass roots, rowing can only exist thanks to unpaid umpires and tireless club members. Without their dedication, those Olympic gold medals will not happen. 'We need to look after volunteers,' Pinsent says. 'We need to make sure we're still encouraging people into the sport and we have a ready supply of people who are going to run events. Because otherwise they won't run. We know that because some fall by the wayside.' With all that enthusiasm, I wonder if he has any appetite to be chairman himself at some point, or if he is happy where he is now. 'I've only been chief umpire for one hour, so we'll see how the rest of the day goes,' he jokes. So no desire to step in Phelps's shoes? 'Not today,' he says, as he heads off to his next race, timer in hand.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Henley Royal Regatta 2025: Day one in pictures
Competitors and spectators have gathered for the Henley Royal than 400 international standard races will be run during the prestigious rowing event, which runs from until to Sunday 6 received 768 entries from 19 nations, including a record 589 domestic entries for the annual event, British Rowing comes on the hottest day of the year so far in the UK, with organisers relaxing the dress code as a result. Richard Phelps, chair of the regatta's committee, said: "We have incredible Olympic representation in the premier events with an eye-watering prospect of seeing the best Olympic rowing nations racing side-by-side down the Henley course."In addition, we are thrilled by such a large domestic entry, and can't wait to see which junior, student and club crews are crowned victors come Finals Sunday." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
