Henley Royal Regatta, an adornment to the English summer since 1839, opens today. More than 1,600 rowers from 18 nations have qualified for this year's main draw and while final preparation for the Olympic Games has kept away some of the world's leading rowers, there is much to look forward to, not least in the events for students after the National Schools Regatta in May was cancelled by bad weather.

Kieran West, the Olympic gold medal-winner in 2000, competes for Kingston in the Visitors' Challenge Cup, while Jonny and Greg Searle, who won gold in the coxed pairs at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, represent Molesey in the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, which for the first time features a combined Armed Forces boat. Both events begin tomorrow.

Among the 98 overseas boats, there are several rowers who will be at the Olympics, including Ramon Di Clementé, a bronze medal-winner at the 2004 Olympics for South Africa, who will be defending his Silver Goblets title for men's pairs, which he also won in 2004 and 2005. This year he is partnered by Shaun Keeling.

The essentials

Morning session: 9am to 12.20pm.
Post-lunch: 2pm to 3.50pm.
Post-tea: 5pm to 7.20pm.
Three to watch: Eton College v Shrewsbury School, Temple Challenge Cup, 2.35pm; Leander v City of Bristol A, Thames Challenge Cup, 3pm; First & Third Trinity, Cambridge v Glasgow University, Prince Albert Challenge Cup, 6.20pm.

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