The Harvard varsity boats celebrated the Fourth of July by winning the championship of international rowing, the Henley regatta. The heavyweights won the coveted Grand Challenge Cup, rowing's greatest honor, while the lightweight crew successfully defended the Thames Challenge Cup.

In 120 years of the regatta's history, no American school had previously captured both cups simultaneously. Both Crimson crews triumphed by decisive margins of two and three-quarter lengths in their final races of the elimination-style regatta, and were never sorely pressed in the four-day competition.

To reach the final round, each Crimson crew defeated three opposing shells. The heavies met their greatest competition from the Isis Boat Club, composed of rowers from the Oxford varsity crew. The Union Boat Club, coached by last year's lightweight mentor, the Reverend "Joe" Brown, provided the closest race for the lightweight eight.

In light of the success at Henley, it is possible that the Crimson heavyweights will compete in the 1960 Olympic games. Captain-elect Perry Boyden stated, "The Olympics are our goal, and I think we'll make it."