In pictures: Teams battle it out on the water in the 2013 Maidenhead Regatta

The beautiful stretch of Thames alongside Brunel's famous Sounding Arch provided the ideal location for Maidenhead Regatta to start on Saturday.

John Rayer, the regatta's chairman said: "It was a very successful day and everything ran to time which is always a bonus."

More than 170 teams took part - a drop from the days when as many as 240 would be involved with the annual event, which has been running for more than 100 years.

John said: "We had to move from the first August of the month to the second because of the Olympics and the World Rowing at Dorney, which has had an effect as people start to take holidays.

"But we were pleased to have a good quota of eights, fours, quads, doubles and singles squads taking part."

The winners of the Victor Ludorum Cup for most points this year were the hosts - from Maidenhead Rowing Club. But although the club got to carry off the Wilkinson Sword,  tradition dictated that the £250 cash prize went to Marlow Rowing Club which came second.

Weybridge Rowing Club gave everyone a good run for their money to come third, while Hillingon Rowing Club made a welcome debut at the event.