Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is the premier event for open eight-oared crews with coxswain at the Henley Royal Regatta, contested annually on the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, England, since its establishment in 1839 as the regatta's oldest competition.[1][2] Originally instituted by the regatta's Stewards as a silver cup valued at 100 guineas for amateur crews racing in eight-oared boats, the event was designed to showcase the finest eights from clubs worldwide, with the first race won by First Trinity Boat Club of Cambridge University.[2] The trophy, which had become fragile and later replaced in 1964 by a new cup gifted by the Harvard University crew while retaining the original base engraved with all winning crews since 1839, symbolizes the pinnacle of international rowing excellence and has been extended multiple times to accommodate the growing list of victors.[2] Eligibility has historically been restricted to amateur club crews, excluding professional or Olympic squads except in special cases like the 1908 Olympic year, though it remains open to top-tier international teams today, fostering intense rivalries among nations such as Great Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands.[1][2] The race, typically held over a 2,112-meter course from Temple Island to Henley Bridge, draws elite competitors and culminates in the regatta's finals, with recent editions seeing Australia reclaim the title in 2025 after a narrow victory over the Netherlands.[3] As one of twelve premier events at the Henley Royal Regatta, it underscores the event's status as a cornerstone of global rowing heritage, attracting spectators and participants to celebrate speed, synchronization, and tradition.[1]Introduction
Overview
The Grand Challenge Cup is the premier event for men's eight-oared crews at the Henley Royal Regatta, held annually on the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, England.[4][2] It features sweep-oared eights with a coxswain, contested by elite amateur rowing clubs from around the world.[1][2] Established in 1839 as the inaugural and flagship competition of the regatta, the event has been held every year since its inception, except during periods of global conflict.[1][2] The prize is a silver cup originally valued at 100 guineas, presented to the winning crew and symbolizing the highest achievement in amateur club rowing.[2] As the senior-most trophy of the Henley Royal Regatta, the Grand Challenge Cup attracts international participants and underscores the event's status as a cornerstone of the global rowing calendar.[1][2]Significance
The Grand Challenge Cup holds the status of the most prestigious trophy at the Henley Royal Regatta, recognized as the premier event for men's eights since its inception in 1839. Often referred to as the "blue riband" event of the regatta, it attracts the world's top heavyweight crews and serves as a pinnacle achievement in the sport, with the official rules specifying it for amateur crews in eight-oared boats.[1][5][6] Its influence extends to international rowing, where it has fostered global competition by drawing elite crews from beyond the United Kingdom, with victories by foreign teams underscoring its role as a worldwide benchmark for excellence. Notable successes include multiple wins by German crews, such as those from Ratzeburg in the 1960s; the United States, exemplified by the University of Washington's 1977 triumph; the former USSR in the post-war era; and Australia in 1912, 2018, and 2025, alongside Canadian and other international victors. This international participation highlights the event's evolution from a British-centric competition to a key stage for testing national and club prowess against global standards.[7][8][9][3] The cup has long promoted the ideals of amateur rowing, emphasizing participation for recreation and skill development without professional incentives, a principle central to the regatta's founding ethos. As a benchmark for elite crews, it influences training and selection worldwide, encouraging adherence to these traditions while showcasing high-level technique and strategy. Culturally, the event garners significant media coverage and stands as a highlight of the British summer social season, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually for its blend of sporting drama and societal pageantry.[2][10][11][12]History
Origins
The Grand Challenge Cup was established in 1839 by the Stewards of the Henley Regatta as the premier event of the new competition, originally named the "Henley Grand Challenge Cup," with the explicit aim of attracting the finest amateur rowing crews to the event.[2] This inaugural trophy was created to elevate the regatta's status among oarsmen, positioning it as a showcase for elite eight-oared racing on the River Thames.[10] The prize for the first Grand Challenge Cup was specified as a silver cup valued at 100 guineas, funded directly by the regatta's organizers to incentivize high-caliber participation.[2] This substantial award reflected the Stewards' commitment to establishing a prestigious challenge that would draw competitors from across the rowing community.[10] In its early years, participation in the Grand Challenge Cup was restricted to amateur crews from British universities and rowing clubs, emphasizing the event's roots in domestic sporting tradition.[13] The inaugural winner in 1839 was the crew from First Trinity Boat Club, Cambridge, who triumphed in the eight-oared race with a coxswain, setting the standard for future competitions.[2] The Grand Challenge Cup's origins were intertwined with the broader inception of the Henley Regatta itself, which began on 26 March 1839 as a one-day public event organized by the Mayor and townspeople of Henley-on-Thames to promote local amusement and boating.[10] What started as a modest affair quickly gained traction among rowers, leading to its expansion into a multi-day format by 1840, with the Challenge Cup serving as the centerpiece that anchored its growth.[13]Developments and Interruptions
The introduction of international competitors to the Henley Royal Regatta, including the Grand Challenge Cup, began in 1878 with entries from the United States and Canada, marking the start of broader global interest in the event. Although the Grand Challenge Cup itself saw its first foreign victory in 1906 by the Royal Club Nautique de Gand of Belgium, participation grew steadily thereafter. Australian crews entered the competition for the first time in 1912, winning the cup that year as the Sydney Rowing Club, which helped spur increasing foreign involvement and elevated the event's status as a truly international contest.[14][15][16] The Grand Challenge Cup experienced several interruptions due to global conflicts and health crises. The regatta was suspended from 1915 to 1918 during World War I, resuming in 1919 as a special Peace Regatta; it was again halted from 1940 to 1945 amid World War II, with events restarting in 1946. More recently, the 2020 edition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first such interruption outside wartime in the event's history.[17][18] Following the World Wars, the competition expanded to accommodate evolving participation patterns. Post-war rules permitted combined club entries, allowing crews from up to two clubs to compete under a joint name, which facilitated broader club involvement without diluting club identity. FISA-affiliated national teams were also allowed to enter, provided the crew had trained together for a sufficient period, enabling elite international squads to challenge club eights and enhancing the event's prestige.[19] Throughout the 20th century, rule updates focused on maintaining competitive integrity through refinements to amateur status and equipment standards. The definition of amateurism, initially tightened in the late 19th century, was progressively liberalized to align with international shifts, culminating in the removal of explicit amateur requirements in 1997, which opened the event to professional-level athletes. Equipment regulations were standardized to match FISA specifications, including restrictions on rigging mechanisms like sliding riggers, ensuring fairness across diverse international entries.[20][19]Competition Format
Eligibility and Entry
The Grand Challenge Cup is open to crews consisting of eight rowers and a coxswain, drawn from established rowing clubs worldwide. Eligible participants must be members of a club that has been in existence for at least one year prior to the entry closing date, with the club maintaining continuous affiliation to its national rowing federation during that period. For clubs outside the United Kingdom, the national federation must hold a formal agreement with the Henley Royal Regatta's Committee of Management to validate entries, ensuring compliance with international standards often aligned with FISA (World Rowing Federation) guidelines.[21] Each competitor must have been a full member of their respective club for a minimum of two months before the closing date, which serves as the primary requirement for crew cohesion and prior rowing experience together. There is no additional mandate for crews to have rowed as a unit for a full season, though national federations may impose further validations for their affiliated entries. Substitutions are allowed under strict conditions, but only with eligible club members, to maintain the integrity of the crew's qualification.[21] Unlike historical iterations of the event, current rules do not enforce a strict amateur status, focusing instead on club-based eligibility without prohibitions on professional or semi-professional rowers, as long as they adhere to the membership and federation affiliation standards set by the Stewards. This shift reflects broader changes in international rowing governance, prioritizing accessibility for high-level club crews while upholding competitive fairness.[21] Entries for the Grand Challenge Cup are submitted exclusively online through the official platform at www.regattaentries.co.uk, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of £240 per crew. The closing date is fixed at 14:00 BST, fifteen days before the start of the Regatta, with no provisions for late or incomplete submissions. Once accepted, the Committee of Management determines the draw for heats and lane stations, typically published shortly after the entry deadline; if entries exceed 4, preliminary qualifying races are held to select the main draw participants. Recent editions, such as 2025, have featured fewer than 5 entries, bypassing qualifying. Heats proceed in a knockout format, with the organizers assigning byes or seeding as needed to ensure an efficient progression to the final.[21][22][23]Course and Rules
The Grand Challenge Cup is raced over a straight course on the River Thames measuring approximately 2,112 meters (1 mile 550 yards), starting from below the Berkshire side of Temple Island and finishing at Poplar Point near Henley Bridge. This layout, in use since 1924, provides the longest open-water stretch on Henley Reach, with a width of 80 feet to accommodate side-by-side racing. The course emphasizes endurance and power, as crews must maintain straight-line progress without the aid of bends or currents significantly affecting one side over the other.[24] The competition follows a knockout format, typically featuring multiple rounds such as preliminary heats, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, with winners advancing based on their performance in each race. Entries exceeding the capacity for direct progression undergo qualifying races prior to the main regatta, ensuring only the strongest crews compete in the primary draws. Races are head-to-head, with the first crew to cross the finish line declared the winner, and a crew is considered to have completed the course when its bow reaches the line, barring any foul-related interruptions. Heats consist of no more than two boats each.[21] The event is contested exclusively in sweep-oared eights, consisting of eight rowers and a coxswain in boats with sliding seats but no sliding rigger mechanisms permitted; sculling, which involves two oars per rower, is strictly prohibited to maintain the traditional format for this premier club event. Boats must comply with standard racing specifications, including a white protective ball at least 4 cm in diameter on the bow for safety. All crews are required to use identical lane buoys to guide their path, ensuring fair navigation along the marked course.[21] Racing is overseen by official Henley umpires positioned in motor launches that shadow the crews throughout the course, monitoring adherence to the proper path and intervening as needed to enforce rules. Fouls, defined as any contact between oars, boats, or personnel of opposing crews, or deviations from the assigned lane that cause interference, result in penalties ranging from warnings to disqualification, with umpires' decisions being final and claims lodged by raising an arm immediately after the race. False starts, signaled by a bell, incur progressive penalties, leading to disqualification after two occurrences, while re-rows may be ordered if a foul significantly impacts the outcome.[21]Records and Achievements
Winning Clubs
The Leander Club stands as the most successful entrant in the history of the Grand Challenge Cup, with a record 36 victories spanning from its inaugural win in 1840 to recent triumphs, often drawing on elite British rowers and establishing a legacy of dominance at the Henley Royal Regatta. British clubs have overwhelmingly dominated the event since its inception in 1839, reflecting the regatta's roots in English rowing tradition and the strength of domestic crews, though international participation has grown steadily. Notable foreign successes include Germany with 14 wins, the United States with 11 victories—such as the national team's consecutive triumphs in 1994 and 1995—and Australia with 5, highlighted by the AIF crew's landmark 1912 victory, the NSW & Australian Institute of Sport's 1997 win, the Australian Institute of Sport's 2000 win, the Georgina Hope Rinehart National Training Centre's 2018 win, and Rowing Australia's 2025 reclamation against the Netherlands.[25][3][26] Patterns in club combinations underscore the collaborative nature of modern victories, particularly in the elite eights category, where partnerships like those between Oxford Brookes University and Leander Club have become frequent and successful, as seen in their 2022 Grand Challenge Cup win racing under a combined entry.[27] University crews have played a pivotal role in shaping the event's history, with Oxford and Cambridge oarsmen contributing significantly to early successes through affiliations with clubs like Leander and ongoing participation that blends academic and professional talent.[14]Fastest Times
The Grand Challenge Cup course record stands at 5 minutes 53 seconds, first set by the Georgina Hope Rinehart National Training Centre crew from Australia in the 2018 final.[28] This mark was equalled in the 2025 final by Rowing Australia, also from Australia, under similarly favorable conditions with minimal wind assistance.[29][3] Historically, winning times have progressively declined from over seven minutes in the event's early years to the sub-six-minute era. In the 19th century, races often exceeded 7:30 due to heavier wooden boats and less refined techniques, with the inaugural 1839 final recorded at approximately 8:12. By the mid-20th century, advancements pushed times below 6:30, exemplified by Cornell University's 1957 victory in 6:30, which shaved eight seconds off the prior best. The breakthrough to sub-six minutes came in 1989, when Leander Club finished in 5:58 amid ideal tailwind conditions, marking the first such performance over the 2,112-meter course. Subsequent refinements lowered the record to 5:54 in 2013 by the Leander Club and Molesey Boat Club composite, before Australia's 2018 achievement.[28][30][31][32] Key factors influencing these times include environmental conditions and technological evolution. Wind speed and direction, along with water temperature, can alter boat speed by up to 5-10% on the Thames course, with tailwinds enabling record performances like those in 2018 and 2025. The shift to carbon fiber shells in the 1970s revolutionized the sport, reducing eight-oared shell weight by about 40 kg compared to wooden predecessors, which directly boosted velocity by minimizing drag and enhancing propulsion efficiency. In recent decades, average winning times have hovered around 6:10 to 6:20, reflecting typical variable conditions, though outliers like the 2022 final at 5:56 demonstrate the impact of elite crews in optimal setups.[33][34][29]Past Winners
1839–1899
The Grand Challenge Cup, the premier event at the inaugural Henley Regatta in 1839, quickly established itself as a showcase for elite British amateur rowing, drawing primarily from university and metropolitan club crews during its formative decades. Early races typically featured 10 to 12 entries, reflecting the limited but enthusiastic participation among gentlemen oarsmen, with the event evolving from a one-day affair in 1839 to two days by 1840. Over the 61 years from 1839 to 1899, 61 races were held, underscoring the regatta's unbroken annual tradition amid Britain's industrial and sporting renaissance.[35][10][14] The following table enumerates all winners of the Grand Challenge Cup from 1839 to 1899, based on historical records from rowing club archives and contemporary accounts. All victors were British crews, dominated by affiliates of Oxford and Cambridge universities as well as prominent London-based clubs like Leander and London Rowing Club.| Year | Winning Crew | Affiliation/Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1839 | First Trinity Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[36][37] |
| 1840 | Leander Club | UK[38][39] |
| 1841 | Cambridge Subscription Rooms | Cambridge, UK[38][40] |
| 1842 | Cambridge Subscription Rooms | Cambridge, UK[38] |
| 1843 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK (rowed with 7 oars)[41] |
| 1844 | Etonian Crew | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1845 | Cambridge University Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1846 | Thames Club | London, UK[41] |
| 1847 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1848 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1849 | Wadham College | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1850 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1851 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1852 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1853 | Oxford University Boat Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1854 | First Trinity Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1855 | Cambridge University Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1856 | Royal Chester Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1857 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1858 | Cambridge University Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1859 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1860 | First Trinity Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1861 | First Trinity Boat Club | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1862 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1863 | University College | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1864 | Kingston Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1865 | Kingston Rowing Club | UK |
| 1866 | Etonian Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1867 | Etonian Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1868 | Trinity Hall | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1869 | Etonian Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1870 | Etonian Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1871 | Etonian Club | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1872 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1873 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1874 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1875 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1876 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1877 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1878 | Thames Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1879 | Jesus College | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1880 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1881 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1882 | Exeter College | Oxford University, UK[41] |
| 1883 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1884 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1885 | Jesus College | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1886 | Trinity Hall | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1887 | Trinity Hall | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1888 | Thames Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1889 | Thames Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1890 | London Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1891 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1892 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1893 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1894 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1895 | Trinity Hall | Cambridge University, UK[41] |
| 1896 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1897 | Thames Rowing Club | UK[41] |
| 1898 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
| 1899 | Leander Club | UK[41] |
1900–1949
The Grand Challenge Cup entered the early 20th century with Leander Club dominating the event, securing victories in several consecutive years amid increasing international interest from European and American crews. The period from 1900 to 1914 saw the first foreign triumphs, highlighting the event's growing global appeal, before World War I suspended the regatta from 1915 to 1919. Resuming in 1920, the competition experienced a surge in entries, with British clubs like Leander and Thames Rowing Club maintaining prominence, though continental European teams occasionally prevailed. World War II then halted proceedings from 1940 to 1945, limiting the total races held in this era to 39, during which Leander Club claimed multiple titles despite the disruptions.[42] The following table lists the winners year by year, including club affiliations and nationalities where applicable:| Year | Winner | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1901 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1902 | Third Trinity Boat Club, Cambridge | Great Britain |
| 1903 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1904 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1905 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1906 | Royal Club Nautique de Gand | Belgium |
| 1907 | Sport Nautique de Gand | Belgium |
| 1908 | Christ Church, Oxford | Great Britain |
| 1909 | Royal Club Nautique de Gand | Belgium |
| 1910 | Magdalen College, Oxford | Great Britain |
| 1911 | Magdalen College, Oxford | Great Britain |
| 1912 | Sydney Rowing Club | Australia |
| 1913 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1914 | Harvard Athletic Association Boat Club | United States |
| 1915–1919 | No regatta (World War I) | — |
| 1920 | Magdalen College, Oxford | Great Britain |
| 1921 | Magdalen College, Oxford | Great Britain |
| 1922 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1923 | Thames Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1924 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1925 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1926 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1927 | Thames Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1928 | Thames Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1929 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1930 | London Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1931 | London Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1932 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1933 | London Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1934 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1935 | Pembroke College, Cambridge | Great Britain |
| 1936 | Fédération Canotière de Zürich | Switzerland |
| 1937 | Ruderverein Wiking Berlin | Germany |
| 1938 | London Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1939 | Harvard University | United States |
| 1940–1945 | No regatta (World War II) | — |
| 1946 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 1947 | Jesus College, Cambridge | Great Britain |
| 1948 | Thames Rowing Club | Great Britain |
| 1949 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
1950–1999
The period from 1950 to 1999 marked a phase of post-war recovery and expansion for the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta, with annual competitions fostering greater international participation from national teams and elite clubs worldwide. The winners during this era are detailed in the following table:| Year | Winner | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Harvard University | United States |
| 1951 | Lady Margaret Boat Club | United Kingdom |
| 1952 | Leander Club | United Kingdom |
| 1953 | Leander Club | United Kingdom |
| 1954 | Krylya Sovetov | Soviet Union |
| 1955 | University of Pennsylvania | United States |
| 1956 | Centre Sportif de l'Armée Française | France |
| 1957 | Cornell University | United States |
| 1958 | Trud Club | Soviet Union |
| 1959 | Harvard University | United States |
| 1960 | Molesey Boat Club | United Kingdom |
| 1961 | Central Sports Club of the USSR Navy | Soviet Union |
| 1962 | Central Sports Club of the USSR Navy | Soviet Union |
| 1963 | University of London | United Kingdom |
| 1964 | Žalgiris Vilnius | Soviet Union |
| 1965 | Ratzeburger Ruder Club | West Germany |
| 1966 | TuS Mülheim | West Germany |
| 1967 | SC Wissenschaft Rostock | East Germany |
| 1968 | University of London | United Kingdom |
| 1969 | SC Einheit Dresden | East Germany |
| 1970 | ASK Vorwärts Rostock | East Germany |
| 1971 | Tideway Scullers School | United Kingdom |
| 1972 | Voenno-Morskoy Flot | Soviet Union |
| 1973 | Trud Kolomna | Soviet Union |
| 1974 | Trud Kolomna | Soviet Union |
| 1975 | Leander Club / Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1976 | Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1977 | University of Washington | United States |
| 1978 | AK Trakia Plovdiv | Bulgaria |
| 1979 | Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club / London Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1980 | Charles River Rowing Association | United States |
| 1981 | Oxford University / Thames Tradesmen's Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1982 | Leander Club / London Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1983 | London Rowing Club / University of London | United Kingdom |
| 1984 | Leander Club / London Rowing Club | United Kingdom |
| 1985 | Harvard University | United States |
| 1986 | SC Nautilus Rostock | East Germany |
| 1987 | Soviet Army Club | Soviet Union |
| 1988 | Leander Club / University of London Boat Club | United Kingdom |
| 1989 | Hansa Dortmund | West Germany |
| 1990 | Hansa Dortmund | West Germany |
| 1991 | Leander Club / Star Club | United Kingdom |
| 1992 | University of London | United Kingdom |
| 1993 | Dortmunder Ruder-Club | Germany |
| 1994 | Charles River Rowing Association / San Diego Rowing Club | United States |
| 1995 | San Diego Rowing Club | United States |
| 1996 | Imperial College Boat Club / Queens Tower Boat Club | United Kingdom / Japan |
| 1997 | Australian Institute of Sport | Australia |
| 1998 | Hansa Dortmund / Berliner Ruder-Club | Germany |
| 1999 | Hansa Dortmund / Berliner Ruder-Club | Germany |
2000–present
The period from 2000 to the present has marked a globalization of the Grand Challenge Cup, with non-British crews securing victories in over half of the 25 races held, reflecting enhanced international participation and training standards at Henley Royal Regatta. Australian and American clubs have emerged as prominent challengers, often employing composite entries that blend domestic and international rowers, while British teams frequently combine resources from multiple clubs to maintain competitiveness. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first interruption since World War II.[10] The following table lists the winners of the Grand Challenge Cup from 2000 to 2025:| Year | Winning Crew | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 2001 | Oxford Brookes University | Great Britain |
| 2002 | Oxford Brookes University | Great Britain |
| 2003 | Australian Institute of Sport | Australia |
| 2004 | Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 2005 | Sydney Rowing Club | Australia |
| 2006 | Sydney Rowing Club | Australia |
| 2007 | University of Washington | United States |
| 2008 | Oxford Brookes University | Great Britain |
| 2009 | California Rowing Club | United States |
| 2010 | Sydney Rowing Club | Australia |
| 2011 | Princeton University | United States |
| 2012 | California Rowing Club | United States |
| 2013 | Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club | Great Britain |
| 2014 | Leander Club & University of London | Great Britain |
| 2015 | Leander Club & Molesey Boat Club | Great Britain |
| 2016 | Hollandia Roeiclub | Netherlands |
| 2017 | Passauer Ruderverein von 1874 e.V. & Ruderverein “Treviris” Trier von 1921 | Germany |
| 2018 | Georgina Hope Rinehart National Training Centre | Australia |
| 2019 | Waiariki Rowing Club | New Zealand |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | — |
| 2021 | Oxford Brookes University | Great Britain |
| 2022 | Oxford Brookes University & Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 2023 | Oxford Brookes University & Leander Club | Great Britain |
| 2024 | Oxford Brookes University & Taurus Boat Club | Great Britain/United States |
| 2025 | Rowing Australia | Australia |