The lengthy Boston stretch is notorious for its use for the GB trials and the Boston Head is rapidly growing from year to year. This year, competitors have been given the option to race over 3km or 5km. The J18 1x category has 10 competitors for the latter event and 4 for the shorter course. One brave sculler from Isle of Ely RC has opted to race over both distances.
5km course
Forward from Nottingham and Union Rowing Club is returning after placing second at last year’s Head in the same event, therefore the win is in the sights of this sculler who will undoubtedly be determined to better himself. Isle of Ely RC have two athletes in this event, Gare and Tompkins. I have struggled to find any results from these athletes, and thus it will be enlightening to see how they place in this event. Stephenson from Twickenham RC definitely has the proficiency to win this event. His 5th place in the Champ 1x B final at National Schools’ has proved that he can perform to a high degree in a deep field. His teammate, Drummond, is starting first and will be keen to keep the others on the horizon. I am unsure of the strength of this sculler, however, if the starting position is anything to go by, he should perform to a decent standard.
Diver from Hollingworth Lake RC was not too far off from Stephenson at Nat Schools’ Regatta last season, and therefore he is likely to have trained harder during the gruelling winter period, meaning that an upset could be on the cards. Rob Roy BC have one entry into this event. The entry, Taylor, placed 3rd in the C Final at Nat Schools’ in the Ch1x so is an aspirant to look out for. Bowes from Newark RC is an unknown entity so it is difficult to predict how he will do. There is one entry from Boston RC, the hosting club. Middleton-Horner is also an unknown entity and therefore I cannot predict a result for him.
Prediction
I predict Stephenson to win, with Diver and Drummond coming in behind, then Forward and Tompkins to take 4th and 5th. The 5km stretch is likely to throw a mass of obstacles in the way of the scullers so, correspondingly, it is completely dependent on the conditions.
3km Course
With only 4 contestants, this will be a fiercely fought event. Not much is known about the athletes other than Tompkins from Isle of Ely RC. He has a teammate racing against him in this event, who is in poll position. Nothing is known of his club-mate other than that. There are two other unknowns; Parker from the home club; and Lee from Burton Leander RC. Parker will have the inside knowledge of the course which will give him a great advantage.
Predictions
I foresee Parker edging ahead of Evans to take the ‘W’, with Lee nudging in at 3rd place and Tompkins finishing last; having raced beforehand.
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