Season 2026 is officially underway, with the High Performance squad back in action on the Yarra. The majority of our Henley crews have returned to training, and it was fantastic to see National Training Centre athlete Austin Reinehr back at the club. Austin joined our Saturday 8s session alongside fellow club members and newly recruited school leavers before returning to Canberra to resume his preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Shanghai later this year.
While the focus now shifts towards the head racing season in November, several Mercantile athletes have been flying the flag internationally over the past month.
At the U23 World Championships, Anna Morrison and Summer Bella-Kellet represented Australia in the Women’s Eight. The crew, composed largely of US-based athletes, delivered a strong campaign. Despite narrowly missing out on an A-Final berth under the new progression system, they went on to secure second place in the B Final—recording times faster than last year’s U23 Women’s Eight. A commendable achievement and one to be proud of.
Meanwhile, in Germany at the World University Games, Sophie Reinehr took on a significant challenge—transitioning from the fastest boat class (the eight, where she stroked the Wargrave crew at Henley) to the slowest, the Women’s Single Scull. Despite a tough start, Sophie found her rhythm as the regatta progressed. In a fiercely competitive field that included Olympians and World Championship medallists, she narrowly missed qualification for the B Final. Her semi-final time would have progressed her in any other race, highlighting the tight margins at this level. Sophie ultimately finished 15th overall out of 29, a performance that reflects both grit and potential in a new boat class.
We look forward to watching the HP squad continue to build momentum. With rounds of testing and selection ahead, the intensity is rising as preparations ramp up for the season to come.
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta 2025 was a resounding success for Mercantile Rowing Club, with strong performances across multiple events and a proud showing on the international stage.
The Wargrave Cup crew (Club Women’s Eight) started their campaign by stepping up a division to compete at Henley Women’s Regatta. After a successful time trial performance, they progressed into the main draw—a result that secured their pre-selection into the Henley Royal Regatta. Their campaign began in the second round with a first-round bye, a fitting reward for their early success.
The Diamond Jubilee crew (Junior Women’s Quad) also impressed at Henley Women’s Regatta, powering through to the quarterfinals. Their strong performance earned them a first-round bye at Henley Royal Regatta as well, positioning them well for the main event.
Mercantile also welcomed back national team members, who joined club crews for the regatta. Notably, Dom Frederico led his crew to a strong run, making it through to the semifinals, showcasing experience and determination.
The Prince Philip crew (Junior Women’s Eight) had a tougher path. After racing in the qualifying time trial, they drew the formidable National Schools Champions, Shiplake, in the first round. Despite a spirited race on Wednesday, they were unfortunately knocked out.
On Friday, both the Diamond Jubilee and Wargrave crews reached the quarterfinals, each falling to eventual finalists—an impressive achievement and a testament to their speed and fight.
On the international front, the Australian Women’s Eight, featuring Mercantile’s Paige Barr, Emmie Frederico, and Hayley Verbunt, raced a valiant race against a strong Great Britain crew, narrowly going down in a tightly contested match-up.
In a highlight of the regatta, the Australian Men’s Eight emerged victorious in the Grand Challenge Cup, defeating both the Dutch and British national crews on their way to the win. Congratulations to Austin Reinehr, Fergus Hamilton, and Jack Robertson for their remarkable achievement.
Mercantile’s presence at Henley continues to grow, both in strength and spirit. Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, and supporters involved in making this campaign such a success.
Jordan Roberts – Athlete/General Committee
