Leander Club athletes delivered a series of remarkable performances across various boat classes at the 2025 Ghent International May Regatta this weekend, 10-11 May 2025.
Saturday Racing Highlights
Men’s Eight (M8+)
Leander’s men’s eight delivered a commanding performance, securing gold with a four-second victory over the Polish men’s eight. The race was intensely competitive, with Leander ‘Cuppies’ finishing third ahead of a Polish second eight and German club crew. (The Cuppies are our gap year development squad, which often enters the Thames Cup at HRR.)
Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x)
This newly-formed Leander quad had its first race outing in Ghent, finishing in a respectful fifth place behind international competition.
Women’s Eight (W8+)
Leander women fielded two matched eights for the first day of racing. With the strongest competition coming from the University of London, the Leander women finished first and third, beating Polish and German national team crews.
Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x)
In the women’s quad events, the Leander crew were joined by Poppy Baker from Nottingham. This crew battled it out against Polish and Dutch crews to come away with a silver medal. Their performances underscored the club’s strength in sculling disciplines.
Men’s Double Sculls (M2x)
Leander fielded two crews and against some difficult competition secured a bronze medal and a fourth place finish.
U23 Women’s Single Sculls (W1x)
Gap year athlete Danelia Pryce-Hughes was entered into this event. In challenging headwind conditions, Danni led to 1250m before moving back into second place where she finished with an excellent Silver medal.
- On Saturday, Leander also had crews racing in the women’s four, women’s double sculls and men’s single. All crews progressed to their respective finals.
Sunday Racing Highlights
Men’s Eight (M8+)
Leander’s men’s eight continued their impressive form, once again clinching gold in a tightly contested race against the Polish men’s crew. However, it was the ‘Cuppies’ who stole the show and overhauled the Polish men’s eight to finish second, making it a 1-2 finish for the Leander men.
Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x)
The Leander men showed their ability to learn and step on in their racing, coming away with an overall win in the second day of racing in this event.
Women’s Eight (W8+)
The Leander women again showed their strength in this event, coming away with another first place ahead of the University of London. The second eight held overlap with the Polish development crew, coming in a very respectful 4th place.
Women’s Four (W4-)
No sooner had the eight landed and with the fours boat waiting on the dock, Philippa Emery and Abi Topp jumped straight into the boat and back to the start for the final of the women’s four final. This crew showed their dominance in this event winning by 12 seconds over the Czech national team. The second Leander crew in this event finished in 4th place.
U23 Women’s Single Sculls (W1x)
Gap year athlete Danelia Pryce-Hughes had another crack at this event on day two. Danni led from start to finish, coming away with a very impressive victory.
Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x)
On day two, the depth in this event was stronger making it for some tough racing for the Leander women who finished in a well-earned 5th place.
Leander Club’s outstanding performances across both days highlighted their depth, versatility and competitive spirit across multiple boat classes. As they look ahead to Met Regatta on 31 May/1 June and their training camp in Banyoles, the squad carries forward significant momentum into the heart of the racing season.
