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Admiral of the Port's Challenge

This race was inaugurated by the Lord Mayor to mark his dual role of Admiral of the Port of London. It is contested by traditional Thames Waterman's Cutters. 

The Thames Waterman's Cutter is 34 feet long with a beam of 4 feet, 6 inches. In keeping with the concept of traditional rowing, it has fixed seats for up to six rowers and room for a cox and passengers. It is also simply adapted to the role of Ceremonial Livery barge with extra seating for passengers under a stern canopy. In this form the Cutter closely resembles the decorated craft often seen in historical scenes of the Thames in earlier centuries.

This event is raced from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Boating Base, a distance of 1.33 statute miles. The rules require that the Cutters are rowed by four oars, must be rigged with their ceremonial canopies and flags, and must carry two passengers. 

Such is the growth in popularity of Cutter racing (there are now more than 25 on the River) the race is often subject to a “staggered start”. The Cutters are set off in waves so their crews are not only racing against those in their starting rank, but also against the clock, as the winners are the crew that record the fastest time over the course.

Sixteen cutters lined up in two ranks of eight for the 2009 race which took place on Tuesday 14th July. Overall winners were Lloyds' List, who narrowly beat the PLA Mens' Team in Penelope.  Compensation for the PLA came courtesy of the Authority's mixed team which took first place in the class for mixed male and female teams.

The 2010 Challenge will take place on Tuesday 22nd June 2010, starting at 7.00pm.

Click here for more information about Thames Waterman's Cutters (opens in a new window).