Henley-on-Thames, England – June 24, 2008: The University of Southern California’s global outreach will again touch the River Thames this month with the arrival of the Trojan Heavyweight Crew in Henley-on-Thames, England. USC’s finest are in the United Kingdom to contest the 2008 Henley Royal Regatta.


USC in action at Henley Royal Regatta in 2006.

This year’s Henley tour will be the fourth in five years for the Trojan Navy. The Trojan’s first Henley appearance was in 2004, a trip sponsored by USC alumnus Henry Brown. The following year the team was the invited guest of Lord James Hanson, a USC Trustee and life peer of Britain’s House of Lords. In 2006, Lord Hanson’s son, Robert Hanson invited the crew to England to compete at Henley Royal Regatta once again.


Hon Robert Hanson of London, England has continued the legacy of his late father Lord James Hanson in generous sponsorship of the USC Crew.

USC will race for the Grand Challenge Cup, the oldest and most prestigious event of the regatta for men’s heavyweight eight man crews. Racing in the first round of the Grand Challenge will begin on Saturday July 5th, 2008.

There are four entries for the Grand Challenge Cup. Challenging USC is the Canadian Under 23 national team crew, a crew from Denmark and also the Leander Club, considered the top rowing club in England.

The Henley Royal Regatta Chairman of the Committee of Management, Mr. Mike Sweeney, said "I am delighted that we have been able to attract such a high quality entry for this year’s Regatta. Despite the pressure of this being the Olympic Qualification year, the Regatta will host many of the top stars from the sport of rowing – there will be some excellent racing."


USC oarsmen and coach with sponsor Henry Brown.

Only two American universities have succeeded in winning the Grand Challenge Cup in the last half-century. Harvard University did it in 1959 and 1985 whilst the University of Washington won in 1977.
“The Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta is really the America’s Cup of rowing,” said USC Head Coach Gene Kininmonth. “A successful syndicate requires a lot of funding but a win brings with it a certain cachet. We are delighted to be in a position to put forth a serious challenge.”

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best-known regatta in the world and it holds a unique place in the respect and affection of all oarsmen. Founded in 1839, it is famous both as a great sporting occasion and a social event; and people come from all over the world to attend, either as competitors or as spectators.

Trojans enjoying a social moment at Henley Royal Regatta.


450 crews have entered the various events at Henley Royal Regatta this summer with 98 of them from overseas.

Winning an event at Henley has always been considered one of the greatest achievements of a rower's career, even amongst those who have become world champions; and a rowing life is not complete if it does not include competing at Henley.
Unlike all other major international regattas, racing at Henley is on a knock-out basis, with crews rowing two abreast over a course which is one mile 550 yards (2,112 meters) long. Winners proceed to the next round.

The full list of entries: http://hrr.co.uk/thisyear/entries.php

The Henley Royal Regatta Press Release:
http://hrr.co.uk/press/june08.php

Details of the Grand Challenge Cup:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Challenge_Cup

The Draw for all Events takes place at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 28th June in Henley Town Hall.

While in Henley-on-Thames the USC Trojans will join fellow international oarsmen for a reception for overseas crews at the River & Rowing Museum.