HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England – For the first time in program history, Washington men’s rowing won the Prince Albert Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta on Sunday, July 5, on the River Thames, winning the Huskies’ eighth event title in 13 trips to the famed regatta.
“Winning the Prince Albert Cup is a big honor for our team,” UW men’s crew head coach Michael Callahan said. “The success we had this weekend goes back to the work these athletes do throughout the year in our boathouse. They trust the process and come out here and perform the best that they can.”
The Huskies raced against Yale in both the Prince Albert Challenge Cup and Ladies’ Challenge Plate (8+) final. In the Ladies’ Plate, the Huskies battled but fell to the Bulldogs.
The Prince Albert Challenge Cup is the Huskies first event win at the Henley Royal Regatta since 2012 when many of this year’s senior class won the Temple Challenge Cup as freshman. The win also caps off of historic 2015 season in which the Huskies swept all five events at the IRA National Championship, just the third time any team has accomplished the feat in the history of the IRA. Washington is responsible for all three occasions.
“This is a great way to end a really remarkable season for us,” Callahan said. “These seniors have given this program all they have and we wish them the best. Our guys should be proud of all they have accomplished.”
Washington Wins at Henley
1977 – Grand Challenge Cup (men’s eight)
1977 – Visitors’ Challenge Cup (men’s coxless four)
1981 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men’s eight)
2000 – Henley Prize (women’s eight)
2003 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men’s eight)
2010 – Temple Challenge Cup (men’s eight)
2012 – Temple Challenge Cup (men’s eight)
2015 – Prince Albert Challenge Cup (men’s coxed four)
Other appearances: 1958, 1973, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2013
Prince Albert Challenge Cup (4+) Final; UW def. Yale
The Huskies fell behind early to Yale but battled consistently throughout the race. The Bulldogs were up by just a canvas at the first race marker, and the Yale lead grew to three-quarters of a length by the quarter-mile mark when Huskies began to make their move. At the half mile, the Huskies had cut the lead to just one-third a length, and Washington took the lead at the halfway point.
Yale battled back, leveling the race at the mile mark, but the Huskies surged ahead and quickly extended the lead to a half-length. UW rowed to victory, with a winning margin of one length and a time of 7:13.
Ladies’ Challenge Plate (8+) Final; Yale def. UW
The Huskies trailed Yale from the beginning, down a quarter length at the first marker just before a quarter mile. Yale continued to push its lead and reached open water by the time the crews reached the half-mile marker. Yale’s advantage continued to increase and the Huskies were unable to respond, giving Yale their third Ladies’ Challenge Plate in school history.
The Ladies’ Challenge Plate is a competition for the top international men’s club and collegiate eights.
The Huskies will enter their offseason and prepare for fall competition. For updates on Washington Rowing, follow the Huskies on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UWHuskyCrew.
Henley Royal Regatta Video Archive
Visitors’ Challenge Cup
Round 1: UW def. Collingwood
Quarterfinal: UW def. Yale
Semifinal: Sydney BC def. UW
Ladies’ Challenge Plate
Quarterfinal: UW def. Princeton
Semifinal: UW def. MUBC
Final: Yale def. UW
Prince Albert Challenge Cup
Round 1: UW def. Newcastle
Quarterfinal: UW def. Edinburgh
Semifinal: UW def. Harvard
Final: UW def. Yale
