Navy officer Reed claims Henley title (From Stroud News and Journal)

Navy officer Reed claims Henley title

PETER REED'S stock continues to rise as the Nailsworth rowing sub-lieutenant scooped the Stewards Cup at Henley Royal Regatta on Sunday.

Roared on by more than 50,000 people, Britain's flagship four of Reed, Cheltenham Olympic champion Steve Williams, Oxford Boat Race stroke Andy Hodge and world bronze medalist Alex Partridge were gifted Henley's Steward's Cup after a world-class Canadian crew were left with egg on their faces.

Mike Spracklen's Canadian four were already a length behind in the final when they hit the booms whilst trying to correct their wayward steering.

They resumed five lengths down to make the rest of the race a formality.

The British quartet - racing as Leander Club and Oxford University - went on to win in a time of six minutes 57seconds, having gone into the regatta on the back of impressive wins in the Eton and Munich World Cups to be already crowned as World Cup champions. The four previously won at Eton's Dorney Lake and Munich.

Reed, 24, said: "It's my first Henley medal, and every rower in the world wants one so I'm absolutely delighted.

"It's amazing to be part of history winning such an old and prestigious event.

"It was close early on, and we were level after 30 strokes, but once we found our rhythm we moved out in front."

Reed received his medal from four-time Olympic champion Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Next on the agenda for Reed is the third and last World Cup regatta, where the team will lock horns with the Canadians again in Lucerne. The quartet will then turn their attention on the World Championships in Japan.