On International Women’s Day, it felt that so many women could come together on the world-famous Championship Course to compete in the Women’s Head of the River. Hundreds of athletes took to the water in pursuit of pennants in gorgeous conditions that provided an appropriate forecast of summer racing to come. Filippi enjoyed a marvellous day with four crews in the top 20 finishers and four pennant wins.
Our highest-placing crew was Cambridge University ‘A’, who finished third overall and secured the University pennant. With just over a month to go until The Boat Race—which the Light Blues have won every year since 2017—Paddy Ryan’s athletes are deep in final preparation mode. Their row bettered their result from 2024, when they finished sixth overall, putting them in a fantastic position to secure their eighth victory.
Thames Rowing Club had a brilliant day, placing four eights in the top 20 and finishing second overall. Of those four crews, one raced in a Filippi (Thames ‘B’) and finished sixth overall. Cambridge University’s ‘B’ crew were in 16th and likely features the athletes who will make up ‘Blondie’ at The Boat Race in April. Durham University placed 18th, closing out our representatives in the top 20.
Elsewhere, we secured a further three Pennants, starting with the School/Junior category courtesy of Tideway Scullers School. With a stellar line-up featuring former Henley Royal Regatta winners and junior internationals, Rhona MacCallum’s crew took the headship from Headington School on home water and will now be aiming for further glory at the Schools’ Head of the River in two weeks.
We were also triumphant in the Overseas Pennant as University College Cork Rowing Club ‘A’ took the win over a predominantly Irish contingent. Our final win came in the Beginner category, as the City of Cambridge Rowing Club ‘C’ beat out opposition from the University of Leeds Boat Club and the City of Bristol Rowing Club.
Elsewhere, Filippi shells were represented in various other high-ranking finishes; City of Cambridge and City of Bristol crews were second and third in the Provincial Club Pennant, whilst Royal Chester Rowing Club were second in the Medium Club Pennant. A Tideway Scullers School/Blauweiss Basel/Norwich RC/Nottingham RC combination placed second in the Masters category, whilst St Paul’s Girls’ School Boat Club was second in the Beginner Academic Pennant.
With so many exciting races on the horizon, we look forward to reporting on Filippi’s increasing success over the next few months.
