The Freshmen of University of California, Berkeley, departed the script of warm-up to the Olympic stars by breaking records this morning in the Temple Challenge Cup, beating a strong Dutch crew in the process.
They reached the Barrier in 1:46 and Fawley in 3:00 and finished in 6:21. Exactly an hour later another Dutch University crew, A.S.R Nereus, put spice into the future rounds of this fiercely-contested event by equalling the Californians' time.
For Andrew Triggs Hodge and Pete Reed, Britain's world men's pair silver medallists and Olympic men's four champions, today marked a gentle start to their Henley campaign. They beat a Worcester Rowing Club pair comfortably in the Silver Goblets and Nickall's Challenge. Alan Campbell, from the GB team, was similarly untroubled in the Diamond Challenge Sculls.
Triggs Hodge and Reed's most threatening opposition, from Greece and Italy, both looked impressive in defeating pairs from Molesey Boat Club - of which Triggs Hodge is Captain.
The Upper Yarra Rowing Club eight in the Thames Challenge Cup also caught spectators' attention. They swept their American opponents aside, setting a mark of 1:47 to the Barrier.
Tomorrow's racing includes a full programme of quarter-finals. The semi-finals are on Saturday and the Finals take place on Sunday starting at 11.30am.
Tickets are available in the Regatta Enclosure priced from £15.00 for Friday and Sunday but Saturday is sold out.
For further information contact the Henley Royal Regatta Press Office on (01491) 572 153 or (01491) 579387