Ethan Blight - Back-to-Back at Henley

Saint Kentigern alumnus Ethan Blight rowed in the seven seat of Leander Club’s men’s eight as it made history at Henley Royal Regatta on 5 July 2026, winning the Ladies’ Challenge Plate for a second consecutive year. 

After defeating leading British university crew Oxford Brookes to claim the title in 2025, Leander returned to Henley as defending champions in 2026. They progressed through the regatta’s unforgiving head-to-head format to meet a formidable Cambridge University–Harvard University composite in the final, holding their nerve to secure the first back-to-back Ladies’ Challenge Plate victories in the club’s history. 

The result added another major achievement to Blight’s rowing record. As captain of the University of Washington men’s rowing team, he led the programme to a clean sweep of the 2024 IRA National Championships. He has also represented New Zealand at both U19 and U23 level. 

After Henley, he returned to New Zealand for further Rowing New Zealand trials as he continues to pursue senior national team selection.