Following the success of its first ever six-day event last year, Henley Royal Regatta’s Management Committee is already hard at work planning this year’s event – set to take place from Tuesday, 27 June to Sunday, 2 July.
At yesterday’s General Meeting, the Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta confirmed that Sir Steve Redgrave, CBE will continue as Chair of the Committee of Management for another two Regattas, marking 10 years as Chair, during which the Regatta will have seen a lot of change. Following on from this, the Stewards endorsed the election of a new Chair – Richard Phelps – for a term of six years, commencing after the 2024 Regatta.
Sir Steve commented “2022 was a really successful Regatta after all the challenges of Covid, and we are building towards another event just five months away. It has been a privilege to be Chair of Henley since 2015 and I’m excited about the prospect of the next two Regattas.”
Richard Phelps said, “it is an honour and a privilege to be made Chair Elect and Steve leaves big shoes to fill. My mission will be to lead the Committee to ensure the Regatta maintains its preeminent position in the rowing and social calendar from 2024 and beyond”.
It was also agreed that the Rules for The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup will be changed to bring them in line with its analogous event for junior women (The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy) applicable for the 2023 Regatta.
The one caveat is that the corresponding change to the maximum age limit will be effective from the 2024 Regatta; consequently, junior rowers who might have been caught out by the change of age limit and have already started training for the 2023 Regatta will not be adversely affected.
This change will bring The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in line with the three other junior events at Henley Royal Regatta and allows all junior rowers, whether rowing for their school or club, to compete in this prestigious event. Commenting on this rule change, Sir Steve said, “I’m delighted that we have equal opportunities across our junior events for all young rowers and scullers“.
Tickets for the 2023 Regatta go on sale from Monday, 3 April, with entries opening to both domestic and international crews from Tuesday, 2 May.