With the regatta season getting well underway, the next event on the calendar is Bedford Regatta. Coinciding with the preparation for National Schools’ Regatta, Bedford gives schools and clubs a chance to race potential competitors. With only three entries in the WJ16 quads this year, I’m sure each of them will be battling it out this weekend.
Bedford Rowing Club
Like many crews in the UK, racing this year for Bedford has been limited due to the weather preventing many from training and racing. Despite this, Bedford raced in a WJ16 quad at Bedford Spring Head, coming fourth in very tight racing, with only three seconds separating second and fourth. They also put out a double at the Junior Sculling Regatta, coming first in the B final by 0.52 seconds. Having these close racing experiences will be invaluable for Bedford, as they will know how much it takes for them to come out on top.
Oundle School Boat Club
Having raced at Peterborough Head in the same category, Oundle stormed their way to a second place finish showing that despite the inevitable lack of water time, they are still battling for podium finishes. Oundle also raced at the Junior Sculling Regatta over the weekend in a WJ16 quad, coming fourth in the B final. They will be wanting to bring this experience and improve from it as they race at Bedford Regatta.
South African Schools Rowing Union (SASRU)
Coming all the way from South Africa, The SASRU will be wanting to make their trip worthwhile. Whilst also having raced at Wallingford Regatta and Junior Sculling Regatta during their trip to the UK, they have proven to be a threat to several of the UK crews. With their WJ16 quad coming a close fourth at Wallingford, they managed to display their skills being only eight seconds away from first, and two seconds off third place. Further, at the Junior Sculling Regatta they placed 15th in the WJ16 quads so they will be determined to push down their times in order to fly home with some hardware.
Predictions
I predict it will be very close between these 3 crews, with Bedford Rowing Club just taking first closely followed by both Oundle and SASRU.
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