head of the river

noun

1. any of various annual rowing regattas held on particular rivers
2. the boat or team winning such a regattaEton are head of the river again this year

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012