The British King’s Cup crew in 2019 is open to all services, has generated significant numbers of competitive athletes and will be the first time a combined service crew has competed in an international rowing event.

Below the Chief of Defence Staff and Vice Chief of Defence Staff with the formal invitation to race at The King’s Cup, the map of the Henley Royal Regatta course and the record of the Oxford University service crew that raced in 1919.

A truly tri-service crew, this is the first time a combined crew from Army, Navy and the Royal Air Force will compete. Squad members hail from all over the United Kingdom and are of all ranks and a wide variety of disciplines and specialisms.

The 1919 Crew

The 2019 Crew

25 year old Flying Officer Christina Ostacchini serves in RAF Intelligence and comes from St Albans. Operational experience includes Op Shader, (Iraq 2018/19).  Christina rowed for the Cambridge University Lightweights in both the 2014 and 2015 Women's Boat Race.

25-year-old Lieutenant Lucy Cruxton is in the Royal Military Police. Originally from Stoke-On-Trent, Lucy is now based in Yorkshire. She loves animals, especially her Border Collie dog, Bella.

Captain Oscar (Os) Richards, 26,  currently serves as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller in the Royal Marines. He is currently Advising Air Ground operations in Afghanistan. He has been granted 3 weeks in order to compete in the King’s Cup and returns shortly after. He enjoys travelling, Ski Touring and electronic music. 

Sub-Lieutenant Sam Knight is 26 years of age and originates from New Haw. He serves in the Royal Navy on the HMS Albion. He has had a successful rowing career having competed up to GB U23 and in Henley Finals. Outside of rowing he has a strong interest in aircraft and engineering.

26 year old Lieutenant Rob Johnson serves in 24 Commando Royal Engineers. Outside of rowing he is keen surfer and rugby player. Rob has a passion for both the board games risk and reconnaissance proforma.

Lieutenant Stephen Jones is 27 years of age. He currently serves in the Army in the 23 Parachute Engineers. Steve is originally from Wrexham. He has strong interest in all things engineering, including; boats, bombs and bridges. He has a passion for dancing, especially salsa and tango.

Surgeon Sub-Lieutenant Alex Steventon is 27 years old. He starts work at Frimley Park Hospital from August. He has been training for the King’s Cup whilst undertaking his final exams for medicine and wants to be a doctor in the Royal Marines. He has rowed at HRR four times, for both Bristol and for the University of London. Alongside rowing he competes in Ironman triathlons and sells sugared donuts in West London for pocket money.

Flight Lieutenant Edward Mace is 28 years of age. He serves in the RAF Police and he originates from North Yorkshire. His father was in the RAF and served as a pilot for 30 years. Edward has had previous success at Henley winning the Wyfold Cup in 2012. He is also a keen swimmer for the RAF. Edward is said to be unbeaten in Perudo in the squad accommodation and is said to have a metabolic rate of a 9-year-old.

Captain Giles Moon is 30 years of age. He serves in the Royal Lancers in the Army. He is originally from Bedford. He involved twice in operation Herrick, Afghanistan. Outside of rowing he is a keen skydiver and enjoys playing American football.