Things are already heating up in Henley-on-Thames (Photo: B. Kitch)

While the first day of racing at Henley is nearly over, there are many events that have not yet begun. Wednesday was a hot one, both in terms of the weather and the action on the water, and we don't see any reason what that should change (in the case of the latter, at least) throughout the week on the Thames. Here are a few choice picks and predictions for the racing to come, thanks to the RR International Research Department.

Henley Royal Regatta 2015 sees the largest entry for many years, including a record 59 US crews. Potential temperatures in the 90s (F) will add a further variant to racing as school, student and club crews look to manage their energies to negotiate potentially five consecutive days of racing. Look for further behind-the-scenes images from RowingRelated as the weekend's racing approaches!

Mike Sweeney's decision to step down as Chairman of the Regatta following last year has seen Sir Steve Redgrave promoted in his place and usher in significant changes to the media coverage of the event, the most significant of which will see the event broadcasted live on YouTube for all five days, with cameras covering each race from the Umpire's launch and key landmarks along the 2, 112m course. In addition, screens will be available for spectators in the Grandstands within the Steward's Enclosure, potentially challenging the previous pre-eminence of the Commentary Team's announcements and also the Progress Board.

The prospect of a showdown between Great Britain's reigning world champion crew and the German reigning Olympic champions in the Grand Challenge Cup was the potential highlight of the regatta as soon as entries were announced. The Australian men's eight, as yet unseen in international competition, is the potential stumbling block to the match-up everyone is waiting for, and the draw in Henley Town Hall last Saturday has rewarded the German crew with a bye to the final. The strengthened British crew with the returning Stan Louloudis in the two seat will therefore have an opportunity to test their form the day before. We don't foresee an upset on Saturday, and while Louloudis's return would suggest that the British crew will be given a further advantage following their victory at Varese, the timing and training cycles a week before Lucerne, the unpredictable nature of match racing and the additional race the day before makes the potential match-up on Sunday too close to call! One thing we're certain of is that space on the tow path and the enclosures will be hard to come by for both of these contests!