Saturday equals semi-finals at Henley Royal Regatta. Arguably the most exciting of the five days, both in social and sporting terms, 2017 promises to deliver on both fronts. Here, we take a look at some of the key contests that will be fought for a place in Sunday's finals...
Remember, Henley-on-Thames is five hours ahead of EDT in the US.
All times are local.
10:50am: Race 6: Yale University vs. University of London (Temple)
Two names which echo through the ages when it comes to student rowing. Yale, whose Varsity eight won the IRA State Championships a few weeks ago, have boated athletes from their second and third crews whilst this is UL's premier boat. Both crews looked confident in their quarter-finals, but nerves can have a strange effect between the booms at Henley…
11am: Race 7: Sport Imperial Boat Club vs. Thames Rowing Club (Wyfold)
A classic contest between two British club stalwarts. Sport Imperial, the alumni club for Imperial College, have entered this regatta in superb shape whilst Thames consistently produce excellent athletes. Who will emerge as finalists in the Wyfold Challenge Cup? It's all to play for at in Race 7 tomorrow.
12 noon: Race 13: Leander Club vs. California Rowing Club, USA (Visitors)
So often the provider of the regatta's tightest racing, the Visitors' Challenge Cup shows no signs of letting up this year. Leander Club are strong favourites to take the title, but California have had an excellent regatta.
12:20pm: Race 15: University of California, Berkeley, USA vs. Oxford Brookes University A (Temple)
Perhaps the two favourites for this event face each other prematurely. Both crews have looked impressive throughout the regatta, with Cal dispatching Santa Clara University, USA and Brookes seeing off the challenges of the University of Groningen, Holland on Friday. Oxford Brookes are many punter's choice, but this Cal crew are getting quicker with every outing. Expect a good old fashioned 18-man tussle.
3pm: Race 22: Waiakiri Rowing Club, New Zealand vs. Passau & Treviris Trier, Germany (Grand)
The only semi-final in the regatta's premier event, as an overall entry of three means the British crew got a bye to the Sunday. The Germans are European Champions and several on-board are Olympic silver medallists, whilst the Kiwi boat are one of the most exciting young eights in the world. Built off the back of New Zealand's exceptionally successful U23 program, it remains to be seen whether they can topple the world's current best on the waters of Henley.
3:20pm: Race 24: Molesey Boat Club & London Rowing Club vs. Brown University (Ladies)
The first of the two cracking Ladies Challenge Plate semi-finals, with Brown University having already raced twice this week. The IRA finalists are serial Henley attendees and will be expecting a tough challenge from the British composite, which features a number of notable U23 names.
3:30pm: Race 25: Oxford Brookes & Melbourne, Australia vs. New York Athletic Club, USA (Women's Fours)
A proper heavyweight clash, as Olympic champions cross swords and stake-boats. The composite crew contains four athletes from four nations, all of whom have Olympic experience and all of whom are currently working at professional multi-services firm Ernst & Young. Kim Brennan, winner of the women's single sculls in Rio last summer, spearheads the charge. The New York Athletic Club crew are an all-star cast and probably retain the favourites tag approaching this clash - but only just.
3:50pm: Race 27: University of Pretoria, South Africa vs. Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club (Stewards)
Two more Olympic Champions (two-a-penny at Henley) compete in the British crew. Mo Sbihi and Will Satch won Rio gold in the men's four and eight respectively, but have struggled to drive their crew forwards into the new Olympiad. A shaky win at the first world cup was worsened by a downright dreadful fifth at the European Championships. They steadied the ship with a silver at the second world cup but will be wanting to lay down a marker on home turf.
4:10pm: Race 29: Hollandia Roeiclub, Holland vs. Vesper Boat Club & Princeton NRA, USA (Women's Fours)
The Dutch national squad make another appearance at Henley, after a successful stint in 2916 which saw them walk away with prizes in several of the regatta's premier events. In the last quarter-final of Friday, Vesper BC and Princeton NRA saw off Club France, an impressive achievement considering the stature of the European crew.
6pm: Race 34: K.M. Goodger & J.R. Gowler, NZL vs G.E. Prendergast & K.L. Gowler, NZL
Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler will be lining up in the women’s pairs as the 2000 metre world best time holders, alongside Kerri’s younger sister Jackie Gowler and Kirstyn Goodger.
6:50pm: Race 39: M.E. Kalmoe & T.E. Eisser vs. M.L. Lanz & L. Rustenburg (Women's Pairs)
Having easily defeated a Cambridge university combination, Megan Kalmoe and Tracy Eisser will have their eyes firmly set on Sunday's finals. First though, they have to navigate a Dutch crew which features two athletes from the Dutch European silver medallist eight.
7:20pm: Race 42: J.H.Graves vs. J.B. Stimpson (Diamonds)
A peculiar clash, as John Graves meets club sculler Jonathan Stimpson. Graves, a regular at Henley Royal Regatta, saw off the considerable challenges of GB lightweight Jamie Kirkwood on Friday, and will be hoping he can get the better of Stimpson, who had a row-over after Kiwi sculler Robbie Manson withdrew.
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