Looking for Coxswains and Boats! Wasn’t your niece short? Didn’t your grandpa once row in a boat? Could he possibly cox us on Sunday morning? Is the boat hanging from the ceiling in the hall really leaky, or could it still go another 4.44 kilometres? The November Fours—or Nov444, as it’s commonly known—is always stressful for coaches. The coxed four is nowadays rarely used at many clubs; some are only allowed on the water once a year. That moment is now. In the morning and early afternoon, the Amstel will be filled with women’s crews aiming to give their all in this challenging event.
DE4+
Despite only three entries in this field, it’s worth getting up early for. These three crews are by no means insignificant. Starting with Nereus, a crew with extensive international experience and young talent, these ladies took home the Amstelbeker this past September and are undoubtedly planning to give it their all here again. However, they’ll face tough competition from the other two crews. Okeanos is going all out with gold medalists Tinka Offreins and Hermijntje Drenth (Paris Olympic Games coxless four), joined by Frederique Pals and, seemingly a new addition to Okeanos, Lisa Goossens, both of whom have competed in multiple international races. They are coxed by Fenna Beukema, who will take advantage of her home waters. Laga, though, are also a formidable crew. Double Olympians and silver medalists Laila Youssifou and Tessa Dullemans (W4x) are strengthened by Olympic reserve Willemijn Mulder and Lotte Jansen. Coxswain Jasmijn Miog has just flown back from Boston after competing in the Head of The Charles. Although she hasn’t been on the Amstel as much as the other two coxswains, she knows her way around. This small field promises to be closely contested.
DE4*
Despite the big names in the DE4+ field, the contest with the most decorated folk races here. The Maas/Theta combination boasts a whopping 146 points.[1] These women are no strangers to sculling. With Olympic bronze medallist and Varsity winner Marieke Keijser (LD2x Tokyo Olympic Games) at stroke and none other than double Olympian and bronze medallist Lisa Scheenaard (D2x Tokyo and Paris) at bow, they’ll show everyone on shore what sculling should look like. They’re not the only Dutch Rowing Federation athletes in this field. Marloes Oldenburg (coxless four Paris Olympic Games gold) will also represent her club, Gyas. Additionally, last year’s Varsity winners will compete. Orca’s crew will demonstrate that they’re not only national champions in sweep rowing but have also mastered sculling. Further competition will come from young talents from Nereus, Njord, and Skøll, all of whom have some impressive rowers. Once again, a field of solid entries that will showcase the elite of Dutch women’s rowing.
DG4+
Second-year rowers will also compete in the DG4+ field alongside more experienced rowers. Most rowers here will likely compete in the Women’s Development coxless four field next year. Not all crews in this field aim for the win; many rowers are focused on outpacing their club’s rivals. Nonetheless, some more experienced crews will challenge each other. First up is Orca, featuring a mix of talented first-years and more experienced rowers. Orca generally produces strong women’s boats and will hopefully display their talent on Sunday. However, they might face tough competition from Njord and Triton. Njord Veldkamp won the Development Championship last year after a close battle with Triton, who, aside from Josefien Boogert, are also competing with the same lineup as last season. Both boats have proven to be evenly matched, and there’s a good chance one of them will take the win.
DG4*
As in previous years, the Women’s Gevorderden quad field includes slightly more experienced rowers than its sweep counterpart. The Triton crew is a strong quad with several experienced rowers who have been sculling for some time. Nereus also has a solid quad, composed of ex-juniors with significant sculling experience. One standout in this crew is Lily Dikkes, formerly Okeanos, who rowed successfully in Ireland. Lastly, keep an eye on the Laga crew. These women have been rowing together for a long time and seem ready to switch from sweep to sculling next year. With the sisters Nienke and Inger van Dok in the middle seats, who have won nearly all their medals together except for one sculling win, this could be a tight race, and a surprising winner might emerge. A field to watch this Sunday.
LDG4*
Not all women will be racing in the morning block; the lightweight women will compete in the early afternoon. The LDG4* field isn’t the largest with five entries, but there will still be some compelling matchups. Skadi and Triton are the crews to watch here, who faced each other at last year’s Henley Women’s Regatta Aspirational Quad final. Back then, Skadi took the win. Triton are now strengthened by 2023 Henley Women’s Regatta winner Benthe van Kernebeek, though, and will give everything they have to leave the Skadi ladies behind. With two crews so evenly matched, the coxswains could make all the difference as they try to shave off as many meters as possible from the 4.44 kilometres.
DB4*
In this field, as in the DG4* field, many rowers will be tested for a Women’s Development double crew. Most rowers here have little or no sculling experience, making this an important race to show their competence. Since most of these rowers haven’t competed in a similar field before, it’s tough to predict the outcome. All of them are indeed aware of this, and thus, there’s much to gain for these women.
There’s plenty to look forward to on this beautiful Sunday morning. Although the women’s fields have fewer entries than the men’s, the level of competition will be no less impressive. It will be exciting to see who comes out on top, and there seem to be many crews who could surprise us this Sunday. Wishing all the women and coxswains the best of luck in their race! May it be the fastest 4.44 kilometers you’ve ever rowed in November!
[1] Points in the Dutch system are awarded after every 2k win, or when someone competes in a high ranking international competition. Points are separated between scull- and sweep-boats. After 7 points a rower is considered ‘elite’ in the Netherlands.
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