Henley Royal Regatta’s 175th anniversary event moved up a gear today with a stunning series of close races in sizzling temperatures.

Closest of all was the dead-heat in the Visitors’ Challenge Cup for men’s fours between Seeclub Zurich of Switzerland and Molesey Boat Club.

The judges’ ultimate verdict was a dead heat. The two crews were will now have to row the grueling 2112m course again tomorrow.

The world’s top rowers made their first appearance with Australia’s Nick Purnell getting the better of Danny Fridman in the Diamond Challenge Cup Sculls for single scullers. Fridman is the first Israeli to have competed at the Regatta.

In the opposite side of the draw in this event Dutch Champion, Roel Braas, had a comfortable win over Mark Mitchell.

Meanwhile a series of superb finishing sprints in close races saw Hampton School, the University of London and the University of Western Ontario all move past their opponents in dramatic style in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, the Visitors Challenge Cup and the Temple Challenge Cup.

Sir Steve Redgrave, the celebrated Olympian who is Vice Chairman of the 2014 Regatta, summed up the on-going success of this year’s event when he said: “There is nowhere in the world like this event. To race between two booms on the river with a wall of noise from start to finish makes it unique for the rowers. Everyone wants to come and race here whether they are just starting out on their career or are already an established international.

We had bumper crowds here yesterday and today and some of those close races have been really exciting”.

Tickets for the 2000-capacity Regatta Enclosure have now sold out for Saturday with some capacity remaining for tomorrow and Sunday but as 2014 Regatta Chairman Mike Sweeney explained: “This is one of the best sporting and social events of the year and those who have not yet experienced it can still attend. There are large areas along the course that are open to the public and are free to those who might want to bring a picnic, sit on the banks and take in the action”.

Weather forecasters predict that the current sunny weather will persist. Tomorrow will see World Junior Single Scull Champion Jess Leyden from Hollingworth Lake make her first appearance at this Regatta and GB Rowing Team squad members Scott Durant and Alan Sinclair will begin their challenge in the Silver Goblets for men’s pairs.

The sensational French double of Stany Delayre and Jeremie Azou will race for the first time in the Double Sculls Challenge Cup for men. New Zealander Mahe Drysdale and George Bridwater will go head to head in the Diamond Challenge Cup sculls. Drysdale is the Olympic champion in this event and his compatriot is making a comeback after winning Olympic bronze in another boat class at the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Royal Regatta announced earlier today that four-times Olympic Champion, Sir Ben Ainslie, is to present the trophies on Sunday to the winning crews.

As the official Prize-Giver, Sir Ben will join Regatta Chairman Sweeney, who will retire this year after 22 years of service, in the final act to mark the 175th Anniversary of the first Regatta, held in 1839.

• polar klokke