The British Junior Rowing Championships offers rowers a last chance to win some national gold this summer. This year, though only seven crews are competing in the J18 Open Eights category, the competition looks fierce with some new up-and-coming crews entered as well as those who have proved to be surprisingly dominant this season. The event takes place this Saturday 20th July, in Nottingham.
Hampton School Boat Club
This year Hampton has had an impressive season, making them potential rising stars in junior rowing. Some of their accolades include an eighth place result at the National Schools’ Regatta as well as a ninth place at the Schools’ Head earlier this year. They also had a strong run in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta — despite an early elimination, they were able to remain in contact with Radley College Boat Club for the majority of the race. Hampton has also had some very impressive individual performances this year at GB trials, with two athletes from the School’s Head and National Schools’ eight being called up to final trials. Coming off the back of a strong finish at the National Schools’ Regatta it is safe to say that this crew may cause some upsets and take home the top prize.
Reading Blue Coat School
An already an established boat club in junior rowing, this eight will also be trying their hand at taking the top spot next Saturday. They had a strong performance at National Schools’ Regatta coming an overall 14th, as well as coming 11th at the Schools’ Head suggesting speed lurking within the boat as well as a fair amount of experience. They also had a decent run at Henley Royal Regatta beating Winchester College convincingly on the Tuesday, however losing to the Australian crew Southport. With some younger athletes in the crew, I could see Reading Blue Coat’s crew being one to watch. I would also not be surprised if they managed to walk away on Saturday with the gold medal.
Claires Court Boat Club
In what has been a relatively quiet sweep season for Claires Court there has only been a handful of performances where they have competed on the national stage, with what seems to be a lot of focus on sculling after an impressive performance at the Fawley Challenge Cup a few weeks ago. What seems like a weaker crew compared to others in their category the Boat Club is no stranger to the big stage and is extremely experienced. With some results including a sixth place finish at the Schools Head in the first eights category. Although it may be a big ask for Claires Court to win this event, medaling is still on the cards for this crew.
Other crews include two crews from the Kingston area who may be knocking on the door of a gold medal. Kingston Grammar School have had an impressive regatta season, after winning the coxless four category at the National Schools Regatta: with all four of those rowers set to feature in the eight the power of this crew may cause some upset come Saturday. Kingston Rowing Club is also putting forward an eight: with their squad being focused on mainly sculling this season they have been able to put forward some strong performances in that discipline. The real question is whether it will be able to convert to the different sport of sweep rowing. If they can pull it off, they too may walk away with something around their necks.
Predictions:
Although this category may be fairly sparse, the competition will be fierce and interesting. If I were a betting man I would say that the young crew from Hampton School Boat Club could do something special coming off their runner-up position at National Schools. Closely following them will be Reading Blue Coat who are also a hungry crew looking to end the season on a high. Finally, I think the third spot will go to Claires Court with some younger rowers in their boat they may have enough to cross the line third.
- Hampton School Boat Club
- Reading Blue Coats
- Claires Court
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