Tuesday, June 30
Henley-on-Thames, U.K.
ALL DAY
University of Washington
vs
Henley Royal Regatta
UW Women To Send Five Crews To Henley Royal Regatta
June 14, 2026 | Women's Rowing
The Washington women's rowing team will return to the Henley Royal Regatta this summer, with a large contingent of rowers heading to the world's biggest annual regatta.
The UW women will enter two crews in the Island Challenge Cup (student eights), one in the Town Challenge Cup (premier coxless fours), along with one entry in the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup (premier pairs). Husky assistant coach and alumna Elena Collier-Hezel will also compete in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup (premier single sculls).
"We've been counting the days since our last trip to Henley as a team in 2022," said UW head coach Yasmin Farooq. "At 185 years old, there is nothing in the sport of rowing like it — the pageantry, the spectators, the strategy, and knowing that every race is sudden-death.
"There's also the unpredictability of the River Thames," she continued, "because 'the stream' favors each lane at different times, no lead is ever safe, and conversely, if you're behind, you're never out of the race."
The crews that will race at Henley will be comprised of women who competed for the UW during the 2026 season, with both graduated seniors and underclass athletes in the various lineups.
Henley's rules frequently limit what level of experience rowers may have in various race categories, so the UW Island Challenge crews will be made up of member of the Huskies' first and second eights from this past spring. The four that will compete in the Town Challenge Cup (Jess Weir, Mira Calder, Zola Kemp, Cait Whittard) is made up of athletes who have medaled at World Under 23s (thus making them ineligible for the Island Challenge Cup).
The other UW eight is comprised mainly of women who rowed in the second varsity eight and the four this past season.
The Washington women last traveled to Henley as a program in 2022. That year, The Huskies entered the Remenham Challenge Cup (premier eights), the Island Challenge (student eights) and both the Hambleden Pairs and Princess Royal Challenge Cup.
UW rowing – men's and women's – has a long, rich history at Henley. In 2000, the Huskies won the Remenham Challenge Cup (known as The Henley Prize at the time).
Washington alumna Megan Kalmoe, a four-time Olympian, was a runner-up in the first-ever Hambleden Pairs, in 2017, while current UW assistant coach Maddie Wanamaker won that event in 2025, competing for New York Athletic Club.
UW alumna Rika Geyser, representing Trident RC of South Africa, finished as runner-up in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup in 2002. That event, held every year since 1993, is the longest-running women's event at Henley. Another alum, Anna Thornton, became the first woman from Nottingham Rowing Club ever to win at Henley, as she and her partner won the Stonor Challenge Trophy (premier double sculls) in 2018.
Numerous other Huskies have competed – and won – at Henley, competing for various clubs.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, fully opened to women in 2000 and now awards trophies in a total of 11 women's events.
"I'm really excited for our team to have this opportunity and for the experience they'll take straight into next season," Farooq concluded. "The lessons from Henley stay with you: the poise, the problem-solving, the belief that you can respond in any moment. It's the kind of growth that pays off all year long."
Racing this year will take place on the Thames from June 30 through July 5. The draw, which will fill out the brackets for each event, will be held on June 27. One of the two UW eight racing in the Island Challenge Cup, as well as the pair and the single, will be required to qualify for the full draw, prior to June 27. All other entries have been granted automatic entries in the main events.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, features head-to-head racing in a knockout format in 27 race categories for men, women and youth. Crews race the 2,112-meter course in and progress, tournament-style, from as many as 32 entries, through a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals (depending on the number of entrants in a given category, and in many case, byes; many events do not include 32 entries.). The draw will be held on June 27, laying out the brackets for all of the various events.
Henley Royal Regatta provides an excellent live video stream, at no cost. Use the link at the top of this page to watch. Once the draw takes place on June 27, and schedules are announced, this page will be updated.
The UW women will enter two crews in the Island Challenge Cup (student eights), one in the Town Challenge Cup (premier coxless fours), along with one entry in the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup (premier pairs). Husky assistant coach and alumna Elena Collier-Hezel will also compete in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup (premier single sculls).
"We've been counting the days since our last trip to Henley as a team in 2022," said UW head coach Yasmin Farooq. "At 185 years old, there is nothing in the sport of rowing like it — the pageantry, the spectators, the strategy, and knowing that every race is sudden-death.
"There's also the unpredictability of the River Thames," she continued, "because 'the stream' favors each lane at different times, no lead is ever safe, and conversely, if you're behind, you're never out of the race."
The crews that will race at Henley will be comprised of women who competed for the UW during the 2026 season, with both graduated seniors and underclass athletes in the various lineups.
Henley's rules frequently limit what level of experience rowers may have in various race categories, so the UW Island Challenge crews will be made up of member of the Huskies' first and second eights from this past spring. The four that will compete in the Town Challenge Cup (Jess Weir, Mira Calder, Zola Kemp, Cait Whittard) is made up of athletes who have medaled at World Under 23s (thus making them ineligible for the Island Challenge Cup).
The other UW eight is comprised mainly of women who rowed in the second varsity eight and the four this past season.
The Washington women last traveled to Henley as a program in 2022. That year, The Huskies entered the Remenham Challenge Cup (premier eights), the Island Challenge (student eights) and both the Hambleden Pairs and Princess Royal Challenge Cup.
UW rowing – men's and women's – has a long, rich history at Henley. In 2000, the Huskies won the Remenham Challenge Cup (known as The Henley Prize at the time).
Washington alumna Megan Kalmoe, a four-time Olympian, was a runner-up in the first-ever Hambleden Pairs, in 2017, while current UW assistant coach Maddie Wanamaker won that event in 2025, competing for New York Athletic Club.
UW alumna Rika Geyser, representing Trident RC of South Africa, finished as runner-up in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup in 2002. That event, held every year since 1993, is the longest-running women's event at Henley. Another alum, Anna Thornton, became the first woman from Nottingham Rowing Club ever to win at Henley, as she and her partner won the Stonor Challenge Trophy (premier double sculls) in 2018.
Numerous other Huskies have competed – and won – at Henley, competing for various clubs.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, fully opened to women in 2000 and now awards trophies in a total of 11 women's events.
"I'm really excited for our team to have this opportunity and for the experience they'll take straight into next season," Farooq concluded. "The lessons from Henley stay with you: the poise, the problem-solving, the belief that you can respond in any moment. It's the kind of growth that pays off all year long."
Racing this year will take place on the Thames from June 30 through July 5. The draw, which will fill out the brackets for each event, will be held on June 27. One of the two UW eight racing in the Island Challenge Cup, as well as the pair and the single, will be required to qualify for the full draw, prior to June 27. All other entries have been granted automatic entries in the main events.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, features head-to-head racing in a knockout format in 27 race categories for men, women and youth. Crews race the 2,112-meter course in and progress, tournament-style, from as many as 32 entries, through a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals (depending on the number of entrants in a given category, and in many case, byes; many events do not include 32 entries.). The draw will be held on June 27, laying out the brackets for all of the various events.
Henley Royal Regatta provides an excellent live video stream, at no cost. Use the link at the top of this page to watch. Once the draw takes place on June 27, and schedules are announced, this page will be updated.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
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