Australians at 2001 Henley Royal Regatta

Sydney Rowing Club, with University of Technology, Sydney - D. C. Lawson (b), M. A. Parkes, Z. D. Kirkham, R. B. A. Toepfer, M. J. O’Callaghan, A. J. Woodward, A. K. A. Gordon, Michael J. Wiseman (s), M. K. Wyllie (c), 

There were only two crews entered and the Australians met the Croatian eight from H A V K Mladost & V K Coatia Clubs. The Henley Regatta Records 2000-04 reported as follows.

The Australian crew had only one member of the crew that had won the Silver medal in Sydney, while the Croatian crew had six members that had won the Bronze. H.A.V.K. Mladost and V.K. Croatia, Croatia started at 11, 22 and 42 in the first quarter, half and full minutes to 11, 23 and 43 by the Sydney Rowing Club and University of Technology, Sydney, Australia and led by three quarters of a length at the first signal. They had increased this to one and a third lengths at the Barrier and to two and a half lengths at Fawley. Continuing to gain, and at a lower rate of striking, the Croatians went further ahead eventually winning by four and three quarter lengths. 

Australian Institute of Sport -  Dana Faletic (b), Joanna C. Lutz, Julia A. Wilson, Jane Robinson, Emily N. Martin, Monique Y. Heinke, Victoria L. Roberts, Kristina A. Larsen (s), C. A. Bilson (c), 

In the preliminary races, records fell in almost every race. The conditions were good and the crews even better. In round one, the Australian eight easily defeated a Dutch crew from Hollandia Rowing Club. In the following round Yale University fell victim again by a large margin of 4 1/4 lengths and in record times to the Barrier, Fawley and the course. Following these record time, much was expected of the final against Nautilus Rowing Club. However this was not to be. The Australians led from the start and increased their margins throughout the race. The final margin was 2 3/4 lengths.

The King's School, Parramatta - J. I. A. White (b), B. F. Vining, N. R. Hudson, R. Miller, M. J. Ryan, P. S. S. Maiden, S. W. Whalan, S. J. Loch (s), C. Buchanan (c)

 The Australian school boys won all five rounds with perhaps the most interesting race being the second round against St Mark's of the USA. The crews were level at the first signal, then King's got a three foot lead at the Barrier. Utilising a far higher rate of striking, the Australians moved out to 3/4 length lead at Fawley. St Mark's fought back and closed the gap to 1/2 length at the mile. The final margin was 3/4 length. In the final against Radley College, the King's School led from the start and at a far higher rate than Radley. They left no opportunity for Radley to come back as they didn't fade. The final margin was 1 3/4 lengths.

University of Technology, Sydney with Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association - D. P. Atkins, C. B. Smith, A. W. Batt, D. D. Johnson

 This composite crew won the inaugural race with a field of 35 entries. IN the first round, the composite crew defeated Durham University by 3 1/4 lengths. In the second round, Tideway Sculler B crew fell victim to the composite crew by 4 lengths. The closest race was in the semi-finals when they defeated Potomac Boat Club from the USA by only 1 1/4 lengths. In the final the result was never in doubt over Leander with an all the way win by 2 lengths.

The Southport School with St. Joseph's College (QLD) - E. C. Arendsen (b), E. J. Annand, A. Avetisoff, T. A. Hall (s)

This composite Queensland crew won this event that boasted 42 entries. The three Australian crews were selected crews and did not have to qualify. In round 1, Southport composite easily defeated Latymer Upper School. In the second round they defeated the other Queensland composite crew from Brisbane Grammar and Anglican Grammar School by four lengths. Then in the semi-finals, they had defeat the other Australian crew from Sydney which they did by 3 3/4 lengths. The final against the composite Maidenhead and Marlow crew was not as clear cut. After an excellent start, lower rate and good steering, the Queenslanders left no opportunity for the local crew. The final margin was 1 3/4 lengths.

Sydney Rowing Club - A. D. Viquerat (b), A. E. Frecklington, I. E. Allsop, A. R. M. Wilson (s)

The Sydney crew began their campaign with a 2 3/4 length win over Molesey Boat Club in the first round. The second round against Tiffen School was a great race. Whilst Sydney led all the way, a strong finish by Tiffen resulted in a final margin of 3 feet. As mentioned above, in the semi-final the Queensland combination from The Southport School and St Joseph's College defeated the Sydney crew by 3 3/4 lengths.

Brisbane Grammar School with Anglican Church Grammar School - P. B. Barber (b), R. S. Hoyes, M. C. Hogan, S. R. Rowe (s)

After a two length win over a composite crew from Burton Leander Rowing Club and Stourport Boat Club by two lengths in the first round, this crew unsuccessfully raced against their Brisbane colleagues in the second round.

Sydney Rowing Club - S. G. Law (b), A. L. Curtin, G. S. Koutts, A. N. A. Webster

 The Sydney crew had to qualify to start at the regatta, being only one of two crews who got through. Sadly they did not survive the first round against Danmarks Rocenter, Denmark who won by 2 lengths.

Sydney Rowing Club - C. O. D. Millet (b), P. J. D. Willis, A. W. A. Koch, J. J. Cowley (s) Marty A. X. Rabjohns

In a massive field of 63 entries, the Sydney crew performed excellently, failing by only 2 1/4 lengths in the semi-final to the eventual winner Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association. Sydney got away the better of the two crews and had a canvas by the first signal. This was reversed by the Barrier and Nottinghamshire extended their lead thereafter.

Surfers’ Paradise Rowing Club (QLD) - Duncan S Free

Duncan had an easy first round and an easy final. The races inbetween were less so. In the quarter finals, he met Foster of University of London who pushed him to 2/3 length. The Henley Regatta Records 2000-2004 reported this race as follows. By far and away the best race in the Diamond Sculls this year was the one between the eventual winner, Free from Australia and Foster, who was in the Gold medal winning British four at the Sydney Olympic Games, sculling for University of London. Free took an immediate lead and was two and a half lengths ahead at both the Barrier and at Fawley. He led by two lengths at the last signal and it was here that Foster began to close rapidly. Free maintained his composure and rate of striking, holding on to win by two thirds of a length. And later it reported on the final as follows. The final was a fine race - Free had a very good start and led by a length and a half at the first signal and this proved to be decisive. He led by two lengths at the Barrier but, due to constant pressure from Hallett, could get no more until after the mile and an eighth when he drew away to win by four lengths. 

University of Technology Sydney - Finghan Murray

M W Wells of University of London defeated Murray by 3 3/4 lengths in the first round.

St. George’s Rowing Club (NSW) - Thomas E Chapman

D T Hallett of Mic Mac Amateur Athletic Club, Canada easily defeated Chapman in round 1.