The Kings Cup at Henley Royal Regatta

Being based in Catterick, Lucy found it tough doing the majority of her training on the erg rather than water, and training around an 8 week deployment in Norway proved particularly challenging.

Exactly 100 years after the peace regatta of 1919, the Kings Cup is coming to Henley, where international crews from the original six nations of Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, are joined by Germany and the Netherlands comprised of both male and female armed forces personnel will compete to take it home. Here at RUBC we are delighted to see that two of our alumni, Lucy Cruxton and Rob Johnston, have been selected to race.

 Team Selection

The selection process proved challenging and lengthy, with training programmes distributed in November, followed by several training camps, and final selection taking place over three days in May. The first day of final selection being a 2k Ergo test, followed by a pairs matrix held at Dorney Lake on the second day, and concluding on the third day with seat racing in coxed fours on the Thames.

 The Training Programme

The programme had to be flexible as the athletes were expected to fit training around their work commitments, with both compulsory erg based and recommended sessions twice a day.

‘Adapting to two/three training sessions a day for six days a week has been challenging after some time out the sport.’ -Rob Johnston

 Following final trials, the athletes were given time off work to focus solely on preparing for the event, training at Radley College Boat Club. A typical morning consisting of two water sessions- the first being around 16-20km of pieces or UT1 paddling, and the second being 10-12km of technical work. In the afternoon, the athletes usually do weights. 

Guest coaches have included experienced rowers from within the three forces, including Heather Stanning from the Army and Pete Reed from the Navy.

A Debut for Mixed Events in Rowing?

Whilst Rob and Lucy don’t expect to see men and women rowing alongside each other at an international level, both have enjoyed the experience and can see potential for it at varying levels. Lucy pointed out that it would be interesting to seat race men and women for the fastest boats, and Rob saying that you don’t know exactly how fast the other boat is going to be, so it makes for an exciting race.

 Progression so far…

RUBC were delighted to see the team win the senior 8 against Curlew Rowing Club at Reading Amateur Regatta, just weeks before Henley Royal Regatta. 

The crew won Senior 8’s at Reading Amateur Regatta.

Author - Rosie Patten