For the first time in Curlew’s history they have won the Ampthill Cup on the Sunday of the 
Metropolitan Regatta. The Ampthill Cup was first raced in the 1930s in memory of Sir Arthur Oliver Villiers Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill who was president of London Rowing for almost 40 years.
Ampthill raced in the Ladies’ Challenge Plate at Henley Royal Regatta for Eton in 1886, 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he raced both the Grand Challenge Cup and the Silver Goblets, losing in the final of the latter by 2-foot to CUBC in a race which the Henley records for the year describe as “One of the best and closest races ever seen”. In 1890 he again competed in both events, this time racing under New College colours, and collected his first Henley medal, rowing with Guy Nickalls in the Goblets.
In 1891, racing this time as Leander, Lord Ampthill was in the crew which won the Grand Challenge Cup, setting a new course record. He also repeated his Goblets win, again with Guy Nickalls.
Henley wins
- 1890 – Silver Goblets (rowing as New College Oxford, with Guy Nickalls)
- 1891 – Grand Challenge Cup (rowing as Leander Club)
- 1891 – Silver Goblets (rowing as Leander Club, with Guy Nickalls)
Curlew’s pair of Stroke, Jamie Sunderland and Bow, Matthew Richardson won the race by a winning margin of 8 seconds from their nearest challengers. It seemed that the rowing gods were shining down on Curlew as both Curlew Rowing Club and the Metropolitan Regatta are celebrating their 150th Anniversary in 2016. It seemed only fitting that Curlew RC should come away from the Met regatta with a win in this their anniversary year.
Next stop…Henley Royal Regatta where the boys will be hopefully racing in the event won twice by Baron Ampthill and named after his pairs partner.