Reading University student, Josh Lyon (10-20) won the 183rd Wingfield Sculls over the four and quarter mile Boat Race course from Putney to Mortlake.
The race was founded on 10 August 1830, at the instigation of barrister Henry Wingfield. The idea for the race was suggested at a dinner after a sculling race and following this a subscription dinner was held at the Swan in Battersea, where money was raised to fund the event, the rules were decided and a date was set. The initial conditions were that the race should be run on the half tide from Westminster to Putney against all challengers, annually on 10 August (10 August being Wingfield’s birthday), though the first race actually went from the Red House, Battersea to Hammersmith. In later years, the course changed to the more familiar championship course of the Boat Race.
Previous winners of the event read like a ‘who’s who’ of British Rowing. Our own, most illustrious OB Jack Beresford (1913-17) won the event no less than seven times between 1920 and 1926, while other recent winners include multiple Olympic champions Sir Steve Redgrave (1986-89) and Mahé Drysdale (2007-8).
This year’s race was a cagey affair off the start with the five competitors deciding on different tactics. Josh opted to stay close to the Surrey bank. With recent rainwater flowing against the incoming tide, the
tide was slack and so cutting corners and straying from the deepest part of the river seemed to be the best tactic. At the Harrods Repository, he made a significant push taking the lead which he extended going under Hammersmith Bridge. Approaching Chiswick Bridge and the finish line, Josh had built up a commanding lead, coming home in a time of 23 minutes 48 seconds, 16 seconds in front of his nearest rival, awarding him the title of ‘Champion of the Thames’.
Afterwards Josh commented “The Wingfield Sculls is such a unique event and it was a true privilege to get the opportunity to race it. To then go on and win, well this was a very special moment. To have my name on the iconic trophy next to some of the greats in our sport, it truly does feel very surreal”
The last year has seen Josh’s rowing career go from strength to strength. His Reading University quad got to the final of The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. He then went on to win double gold for England at the Home International Regatta before representing Great Britain at the U23 European Championships in Hazewinkel.