HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England – The Harvard men's lightweight varsity eight capped off an extraordinary, undefeated season by making history at the Henley Royal Regatta, winning the prestigious
Temple Challenge Cup with a commanding victory over
Oxford Brookes A on Sunday, July 6. In doing so, the Crimson became the
first Harvard lightweight crew to win the Temple Cup and the
first lightweight program to capture the title since
Princeton in 2009.
Facing a global field of 32 entries, Harvard emerged as champions with five consecutive wins over the course of the regatta.
The final against Oxford Brookes began with both boats locked in stride through the first 500 meters, trading powerful strokes in front of roaring crowds. Harvard, undeterred by the home-team energy, stayed poised and launched a
decisive mid-race move, surging ahead by a full boat length in just 15 seconds. That explosive push broke open the race, and from there, the Crimson controlled the remainder of the course, rowing with rhythm and dominance to claim open water and the historic victory.
This triumph completes a
perfect 2024–25 season for the Harvard lightweights, who went undefeated and swept the
Eastern Sprints,
IRA National Championships, and now the
Henley Royal Regatta—a rare and prestigious triple crown in collegiate rowing. The victory not only marks a milestone for Harvard lightweight rowing but also cements this crew's legacy as one of the most decorated in program history.
At the helm was
coxswain Anya Cheng, who closes out her Harvard career with an unblemished record in her final season. Fellow senior
Brahm Erdmann also ends his career on top, undefeated in 2024–25 and a cornerstone of the Crimson's historic run.
Head coach Billy Boyce celebrates his
first Henley victory leading the program, guiding a crew that combined technical precision with unwavering grit.
Lineup – Harvard Lightweight Varsity Eight (Temple Cup Champions):
From the Charles River to the Thames, Harvard's lightweight varsity eight delivered a season for the ages—
undefeated, unstoppable, and now unforgettable.
