Australians at 1997 Henley Royal Regatta

Australian Institute of Sport and NSW Institute of Sport - Nick J. McDonald-Crowley (b), Geoff P. Stewart, Alistair B. H. Gordon, David J. Porzig, James A. Stewart, Don J. Burke, Drew P. Ginn, Richard A. Wearne (s), David E. G. Colvin (c)

 The Australian eight defeated Imperial College and University of London composite crew in the first round by 1 1/4 lengths. In the final, they the German crew from Berliner Ruder-Club and Ruder Club Tegel by 3 lengths. 

The Henley Regatta Records 1995-99 reported as follows. 

There were three entries and no selection was made. In the first round the only home entry, a composite of Imperial College, London and the University of London, was drawn against the composite crew, Australian Institute of Sport and New South Wales Institute of Sport. The Australians rowed 11, 21 and 41 strokes in the first quarter, half and full minutes to the 12, 23 and 43 by the British crew and took a slight lead. At the first signal they led by a quarter of a length and had increased this to three quarters of a length at the Barrier and to a length at Fawley. Between here and the three quarter mile Imperial College and University of London inched back and the lead was three quarters of a length at the mile. The Australians then began to increase their rate of striking and drew away, winning by a length and a quarter. 

In the final, the German composite crew from Berliner Ruder-Club and Ruder Club Tegel took an immediate lead over the Australians and led by a third of a length at the quarter mile and by three quarters of a length at the Barrier. Here the Australians put in a tremendous push and were leading by a canvas at Fawley. By the three quarter mile they led by a third of a length and by the mile were over a length in the lead and the race was over, the Australians winning by three lengths.

From the start

At the finish

Melbourne University Boat Club - J. P. Thorburn (b), H. M. Cole, T. C. Kennedy, W. J. Keeble, T. C. Barnett, M. L. Southcott, Duncan R. Ashby, Richard J. Shenfield (s), Sam G. Pullin (c) 

 The Australian crew was defeated by 3 length by an American crew from the University of Washington in the first round.

Sydney Rowing Club - J. P. Fryer (b), B. K. Wyllie, J. E. G. Hardy, A. S. Nicholls, J. W. Lunney, M. F. Shadbolt, C. M. Baylis, A. J. Marshall-McCormack (s), Marty W. Rabjohns (c)

 The Sydney crew was dispatched in the first round by Nottingham Boat Club by 2 1/4 lengths in the first round.

Melbourne University Rowing Club - F. Ravase (b), Paul E. Reedy, L. Bjoenness, Peter T. Antonie (s),

MUBC had the misfortune of meeting the eventual winner Augusta Sculling Centre USA in their first round and went down easily.

Sydney Rowing Club - A. R. Reynolds (b), R. S. Plater, J. G. Overton, C. T. Farr (s—steers)

 Sydney narrowly won their first round race against Kingston Rowing Club A crew. Then in another tight race, they were defeated by 1/4 length by Univ. of London Tyrian  Club ‘A’ crew.

Tweed Heads Rowing Club - Marcus D. Free (b) & Duncan Free (s)

The Free brothers, coached by father Reg, won all five rounds relatively easily.  In the final, their opponents were the Americans Klein & Weaver who clipped the booms at the end of the island, and despite valiant efforts, were never able to get back into the race. The Free bother won easily.

Reg Free in the blue shirt with Brian Richardson sitting behind him

Melbourne University Boat Club - Paul E. Reedy (b), & Peter T. Antonie (s)

This quality Australian crew were defeated by only one foot by the Cambridge University crew comprising Pim & Ball in the first round.

Australian Capital Territory Academy of Sport - Nick McDonald-Crowley

 Nick received a bye for the first round but then drew former World Champion and eventually finalist Peter Haining in the second round. McDonald Crowley held Haining to a 2 lengths lead.

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC) - Simon Spriggs

Spriggs defeated R Ayliffe of the Tideway Scullers School by 2 1/4 lengths in the first round. However he was no match for the Brown University sculler Koven in the second round going down by 4 1/4 lengths.

Melbourne University Boat Club - Emma L Rickards

 Emma lost in the first round by 3 lengths to L M Hansen of the Rob Roy Boat Club.