Bedford Regatta is in its 158th year of running and this year the junior women’s coxed four is a reasonably small entry with just four boats from three different clubs. Racing takes place over 1,200m; not your standard six-lane race of 2000m nor is it the sprint style regatta’s of 500m we see across the rowing circuit during the summer. It is not a flat out sprint yet perhaps not long enough to really settle into a rhythm. So the use of race tactics along this course will play a significant role in who comes out on top.
Bedford Modern School
A programme known for their sculling, it will be exciting to see how that sculling skill translates into the sweep events. At the Junior Sculling Regatta their top quad finished fifth in the ‘B’ final in what is always an ultra competitive category which leads me to the conclusion that they will be the team to beat at Bedford Regatta.
Bedford Girls School
Another small school outfit who retain the ability to post competitive results at the events they attend. They were second in the eight at Peterborough Head and also finished eighth at the Schools’ Head of the River in the girl’s first eights category. If anyone can pip Bedford Modern School it will be their local rival in Bedford Girls School.
Norwich School
A smaller school programme with some promising result from last season, where their women’s junior 16 coxed four took ninth at the National Schools’ Regatta. Looking to build on that this season, Norwich enjoyed a strong result at the Schools’ Head of the River as their girl’s first eight finished 12th in a very competitive first eight division. They were also seventh in the coxed four at Hampton Small Boats Head.
Prediction
Based upon previous results I would say this is Bedford Modern School’s race to lose. With pedigree across multiple boat classes they look poised to transfer those skills over and win on Saturday.
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