Australians at 1988 Henley Royal Regatta

Australian Institute of Sport - Bow: James C S Galloway, 2: Hamish B McLachlan, 3: Sam G Patten, 4: Michael S McKay, 5: Richard C Finlayson, 6: James B Tomkins, 7: Ion Popa, Str: Stephen F Evans, Cox: Dale Caterson, Cch: Reinhold Batschi

In the final, this was a race between the Australian and British Olympic eights. Both had a bye in the first round. The Australian defeated the Hungarian eight by two lengths in semi-final and the britsh eight disposed of the Syracuse University eight by 3 1/2 lengths in their semi final. The Henley Regatta Record reported on the final as follows. 

It was indeed a titanic struggle. With both crews starting at 43 the Australian Institute for Sport had a quarter of a length at the first signal, and two thirds of a length at the Barrier, with both now at 37. The Australians then spurted to 39, but Leander and University of London, at 35, pulled them back to half a length at Fawley, Australia spurted again at 40 and regained their two thirds of a length lead at Remenham Club. The British eight increased to 38, and edged back to half a length, 

Australia still led by half a length at the final signal, rating 40 to the British 37, and it seemed that the race was won. But helped no doubt by the cheers of their home crowd Leander and University of London put in a last effort, closing fast, In the last two strokes they got their bows in front to force a photo-finish, which gave them the verdict by one foot. 

With no wind assistance, and certainly some adverse stream, their winning time of 6 min. 17 sec, must be reckoned exceptionally fast. 

The Australian eight would race with a different combination at the Games. 

Grand Challenge finish
Photo from Henley Regatta Records 1985-89

Mercantile Rowing Club - Bow: Mark S Halsted, 2: Robert P Jenkins, 3: Geoff Barden, 4: Stephen E Nesbitt, 5: Cory R Bernardi, 6: Gordon F Marcks, 7: Neil S Myers, Str: Anthony T Johnson, Cox: Peter K Scott, Cch: Martin J Aitken

 The Henley Regatta Record recorded as follows. 

It was on the Friday evening that Mercantile really showed their mettle, holding off a great attack by London University to win by two feet. With a two stone advantage Mercantile were safer against Nautilus, who were also checked when their No. 3 missed a stroke when his blade hit a swimmer at Fawley. 

In the final, Leander at 40 led Mercantile who started at 42 by a canvas at the quarter mile, and by half a length at the Barrier, where both crews were rating 38. The margin was unchanged at Fawley, but Leander then edged ahead to three quarters of a length. After this Mercantile began to fight back. At the last signal Leander still led by a canvas, but it was evident that they had shot their bolt. Scenting victory, Mercantile spurted to 40 and rowed past them to win by a length. 

This crew was an Australian development eight which had been selected to race in the US. The crew decided to stay together longer and race at Henley. The non-Mercantile members joined that club to make this happen.

Mercantile racing at HRR
Image from crew member

Melbourne University and University of Queensland - Bow: Brenton Terrell, 2: Paul E Reedy, 3: Richard T Powell, Str: Peter T Antonie

 This crew was the Australian Olympic quad scull and won their final by only one length in a great race.

The Henley Regatta Records reported as follows. 

Two crews were selected in the draw, Melbourne University and University of Queensland, who were the Australian quadruple scullers for the forthcoming Olympics, and Nautilus Rowing Club, from the British national squad, but not nominated for Seoul. These were by far the best of the ten entries, and indeed produced the only close race. Each rowed two heats to reach the final, and all four of these heats were won with the greatest ease. 

Recognising the quality of the opposition in the final, Nautilus rightly went for an early lead. And despite starting at 40 and settling to 37 they were still underrating Melbourne and Queensland by two strokes a minute, Nautilus managed to gain a few feet up the Island, and led by a canvas at the Barrier where both crews were striking 36. Here the Australians increased the pressure to draw level at Fawley. Nautilus held on to the three quarter mile, but Australia led by a length at the mile signal. Nautilus fought back to three quarters of a length at the mile and an eighth, but could not quite get on terms despite spurting to 41 at the finish. Melbourne and Queensland came home to win a fine race by a length. 

Australian crew at Henley

Australian Institute of Sport - Bow: David T Fogarty, Str: Malcolm W Batten

 The Australian Olympic team sweep reserves took the opportunity to race at Henley with the rest of the team. They won their first round race easily against the crew from Staines Boat Club. In the second round they defeated Kingston Rowing Club by 1 1/4 lengths, but were no match for the Americans from Penn Athletic Rowing Association who went onto win the final.

Batten and Fogarty racing hard at Henley