Sophie Reinehr set for Henley Royal Regatta

Former champion rower for the Shepparton rowing club Sophie Reinehr makes her debut on the international stage by competing in the Henley Royal regatta on the River Thames in London.

The regatta was first raced in 1839 and is held over four days each year. Crews and scullers from many overseas countries compete for the time honoured trophies.

Competitors row in a number of elimination races until the final is contested between the two best crews.

Reinehr is rowing in the women’s club eight for the Wargrave Challenge Cup. She is representing Mercantile rowing club from Melbourne and is stroke of the crew.

Reinehr learned to row and had a distinguished career at Shepparton winning state championship medals in four events. Her most outstanding result was nine wins from nine races at the annual Rutherglen regatta.

She was coached by David Schier.

She moved to Melbourne and joined the Mercantile club. She won a national gold medal in the women’s under-21 fours in 2021 at Lake Barrington in Tasmania and a silver medal for Victoria in the national women’s youth eights title.

Speaking from London, she said her crew members, coached by Al Mathews, had settled in well and were training in their borrowed Hudson-made boat.

“Racing at Henley is a little different as we are two abreast for the unusual distance of 2100 metres,” Reinehr said.

Coach Schier said it was a great thrill for local club members seeing Reinehr row at a prestigious international regatta.

“Whatever the outcome she will derive a great benefit from the experience. In my view it is an important stepping stone for her as she seeks selection into the Australian women’s rowing team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris,” Schier said.