Images by fransmartens1
The Dutch season will kick off halfway through March, with the Heineken Roeivierkamp, which A. S. R. Nereus will organise. This race, which welcomes many international crews, consists of four separately rowed distances (2500 and 250 meters on Saturday, 5000 and 750 meters on Sunday). The average score of all the races determines the winner. One of the most challenging aspects of these races is the coxing on the waters of the Amstel. The meandering river creates a scene for spectacular contests, and the diversity of distances makes this a competition that only the best-prepared crews can dominate.
K. N. R. B
As mentioned, the diversity of distances makes this an exciting race to start the season with. This can be why the K.N.R.B. sent a women’s eight, when they usually make sparing appearances at national races. Normally, they dominate national races, but as we witnessed at the Holland Beker last year, British crews have the ability to exasperate the Dutch national team.
A.S.R Nereus
Tthe Amstel can be a tricky river for the crews; several clubs throughout The Netherlands will hold a training camp especially for coxes to practice one particular turn at the start of the course. As a result, clubs who train on the Amstel have an almost an unmissable advantage. This, in combination with ultra fit rowers, makes the ladies eight from A. S. R. Nereus a crew to keep an eye on. Since last summer, Nereus has welcomed multiple rowers who spent previous years across the Atlantic, where they competed at US national championships. The question is now whether these recently-returned athletes are a suitable fit for the typical Nereus stroke.
Proteus-Eretes and E. S. R. Theta
To be honest, for years Proteus-Eretes did not have a strong elite women’s eight, and were generally unable to reach the level of the eights of Nereus or the national team. However, with the participation of two former Olympians, this crew will be in for some exciting races. Roos de Jong and Lisa Scheenaard take the six seat and five seat respectively and will be key to drive this boat onwards.
A. U. S. R. Orca
When looking at last season’s results, one race that made a lasting impression was the race of the ladies’ four at the Varsity. A crew of four women, that were until then not very well known, won the most important race of the season in marvellous fashion. Three of the four rowers of that particular boat – namely Vera Versteegh, Trijntje van der Pijl and Lydia Knevel – continued their rowing career this season and it is now the task of their coaches to find five women that can complement their speed to make the eight from A. U. S. R. Orca the fastest boat of the weekend. With Tosca Kettler, a former lightweight athlete who competed at multiple World Rowing Cups, they have already got a quite experienced rower to complement.
International Crews
Another factor that makes this category interesting to watch is the presence of many international crews. Thames Rowing Club, Molesey Boat Club and Oxford University Boat Club will visit Amsterdam to challenge their Dutch opponents and the course may be one of this weekend’s most difficult aspects for all visiting outfits. Even though comparing Dutch crews with clubs overseas is difficult, it would be no surprise if the British teams dominate the winners’ podium.
Prediction
Within a few days, we will witness one of the season’s most exciting races. Meanwhile, we can see which club has trained the most effectively and laid the groundwork for the rest of the season. Even though experience on the Amstel is advantageous for the Dutch crews, nothing can beat the power and prowess of Thames Rowing Club (who finished second at the Women’s Head of the River Race just a few days ago) and the Dutch national team.
You can check the results at timeteam.nl or watch the livestream on YouTube.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
