CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard men's lightweight rowing returns to the world stage at the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta, taking place June 2–6 in Henley-on-Thames, England. The Crimson will enter two boats, designated A and B, in the Temple Challenge Cup, a 32-crew event open to both lightweight and heavyweight student eights.

• Harvard A will open the regatta against the University of London on Wednesday, July 2 at 9:15 a.m. ET.
   
• Harvard B will face Bath University in the first round on Wednesday, July 2 at 5:15 a.m. ET.

Fans can watch live on the Henley Royal Regatta YouTube channel.

Harvard Lineups

Varsity A Boat (Temple Challenge Cup)
Coxswain: Anya Cheng
Ben Lundie
Brahm Erdmann
Charles Rahdon
Andrew Buda
Preston Darling
Jack Duggan
Alex Forbes
Kyle Sutherland

Varsity B Boat (Temple Challenge Cup)
Coxswain: Megan Ong
James Stevenson
Alberto Lasso
Nathan Evans
Henry Jones
Ian O'Riley
David Picard
Finn Crawford
Joost van Asperen

What to Know

• The Temple Challenge Cup features a 32-boat single-elimination bracket and is one of the regatta's most competitive student events.
• This year's entries mark another dual-boat campaign for Harvard, following past successful runs in the Temple and other events.

Henley Royal Regatta: A Historic Overview

Founded in 1839, the Henley Royal Regatta is the most prestigious rowing event in the world outside of the Olympic Games. Crews race head-to-head in knockout-style duels over a 2,112-meter course on the River Thames, drawing elite international competitors in a uniquely British spectacle of tradition, sport, and pageantry.

Harvard at Henley: A Tradition of Lightweight Excellence

Harvard's lightweight crews have made a lasting mark at Henley across several events, especially the Temple Challenge Cup, Ladies' Challenge Plate, and Thames Challenge Cup. Below is a summary of Harvard's Henley history, with highlights from key events:

Temple Challenge Cup (Student Eights)

• Notable Performances:
  • 2001: Reached quarterfinals with wins over Navy and Dartmouth
  • 2024: Harvard A defeated St. Edward's, La Salle, and Nereus 'A' before falling to Oxford Brookes 'A' in the semis
  • 2025: Two entries (A & B) return to contend again

Ladies' Challenge Plate (Intermediate Eights – sometimes lightweight entries)

• Champions: 2010, 2012
• Notable Races:
  • 2010: Swept National University of Ireland, Leander B, and Oxford Brookes/Oxford
  • 2012: Beat Sport Imperial & Leander Club, Molesey & Oxford Brookes, and edged Leander Club by 1 foot in the final

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Thames Challenge Cup (Club Eights – often includes lightweight clubs)

• Champions: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1971
• Historic Dominance:
  • 1959: 5 consecutive wins, including victories over Union Boat Club and University of London
  • 1966: Undefeated with times under 7:00 in most races

 Visitors' Challenge Cup (Intermediate Fours)

• Runner-Up: 2013
  • Defeated Princeton, Northeastern Alumni, and Thames R.C. before falling to Harvard Heavyweights in an all-Harvard final

 Wyfold Challenge Cup

• Champion: 1971