Los Angeles, CA – February 20, 2006: The University of Southern California received a gift of $30,000 from the Right Honorable Robert Hanson of Great Britain today to pay the costs of sending USC’s finest oarsmen to compete at England’s Henley Royal Regatta this summer.

This will be the third year USC is represented at Henley. The team traveled to England as guests of USC alumnus Henry Brown in 2004, where they met the late Lord James Hanson, who invited the team to return for the 2005 regatta. Lord Hanson, an Honorary USC Trustee and member of Britain’s House of Lords, sadly, passed away prior to the regatta. Obituary: Lord James Hanson


Hanson's Crew: USC oarsmen and coxswain at lunch in London with the Hon. Robert Hanson [5th from right] and acclaimed movie producer and friend George Englund.

“I know that he took great pleasure in having the Eight over for Henley and so we're keen that they should be here again this year,” wrote Lord Hanson’s son Robert in correspondence to USC Coach Gene Kininmonth. “With this in mind I have given instructions for $30,000 to be transferred. I would like to wish them the greatest success.”

Participation in the Henley Royal Regatta has had a profound impact on the lives of the USC student-oarsmen. “Rowing at Henley was a complete odyssey, both mentally and physically,” wrote starboard oarsman Sterling Brisbin in a testimonial for The Trojan Navy newsletter. “No words can express my gratitude and pure appreciation of the experiences that I especially was privy to as a returning competitor at Henley and I will be eternally grateful to our Henley Patrons, Henry Brown in 2004 and the late Lord James Hanson and his sons this past summer.”

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best known regatta in the world and it holds a unique place in the respect and affection of all oarsmen. Founded in 1839, it is famous both as a great sporting occasion and a social event; and people come from all over the world to attend, either as competitors or as spectators. Winning an event at Henley has always been considered one of the greatest achievements of a rower's career, even amongst those who have become world champions; and a rowing life is not complete if it does not include competing at Henley.


The Trojans will be looking to close the gap on last summer's Henley performance when they were beaten by Tara Boat Club of Ireland.

Unlike all other major international regattas, racing at Henley is on a knock-out basis, with crews rowing two abreast over a course which is one mile 550 yards (2,112 metres) long. Winners proceed to the next round.

Henley Royal Regatta will be raced over five days. USC is entered in the Ladies Challenge Plate for men’s heavyweight eight man crews. The first rounds of the Ladies Challenge Plate will begin racing on Thursday 29th June, 2006.

The Draw for all Events takes place at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 24th June in Henley Town Hall.

The hour during which racing takes place each day varies with the number of entries received but in recent years the following general pattern has proved fairly consistent:

Wednesday, June 28th - Heats
First Race - 9:00 am
Last Race - 7:30 pm
Approximate Number of Races - 80

Thursday, June 29th - Heats
First Race - 8:30 am
Last Race - 7:30 pm
Approximate Number of Races - 88

Friday, June 30th - Quarter-Finals
First Race - 8:30 am
Last Race - 7:30 pm
Approximate Number of Races - 60

Saturday, July 1st - Semi-Finals
First Race - 9:30 am
Last Race - 7:30 pm
Approximate Number of Races - 44

Sunday, July 2nd - Finals
First Race - Noon
Last Race - 7:30 pm
Approximate Number of Races - 19

On Sunday the Enclosures are opened at 11.00 a.m. and the Prizegiving Ceremony will be at 6.00p.m.