South Africans dash British hopes in 2004 Goblets

2004 was a pivotal year in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Three years of victories on the bounce by Cracknell & Pinsent had lulled the Henley crowds into believing coxless pairs rowing to be a particularly British talent.

Two South Africans, Ramon di Clemente and Donovan Cech were to change that. After three years of losing, an emphatic victory was theirs. Not only that, but they were to repeat their success in 2005 and 2007. (Injury stopped them competing in 2006.)

Three years of victories is not so unusual in Henley terms. The Nickalls Challenge cup was added to the Silver Goblets in 1895 by Mr Tom Nickalls to mark the achievements of his two sons, Guy and Vivien, who won eleven victories between them in the 1890s. This record stood for a century until Sir Steve Redgrave scored his seventh Goblets win in 1995.

But who will stop the South Africans in 2008 ... Olympic duties permitting? It still hurts.