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Returning to the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham, the British Rowing Junior Championships are set to conclude a spectacular season with the promise of exciting races and hopefully warmer weather. The 24 crews competing on Friday will demonstrate their talent and skill from across the country, vying for their final summer medals before transitioning to the longer training races of the upcoming winter months. Here is a look ahead to see the crews racing:
Hexham Rowing Club
Having seemingly claimed the win from nowhere in the 2022 championships, Hexham will be back to challenge for the title again. This crew have had a strong season so far this year placing second at the National Schools’ Regatta, and more recently racing at the GB v France match which set them in the top challenging spot for this event. Furthermore, all the recent training in this boat gives them the advantage over clubs that have mixed around categories providing them with the competitive edge needed to claim gold. I believe Hexham could be the favourites going into Friday with the multitude of successes they have achieved this season under their belt.
Hartpury University and College Boat Club
Hartpury will enter this race as national champions, bringing confidence and security in their skill which should aid them throughout the weekend. A big improvement has come from these Hartpury girls who often found themselves at the back end of an A final last year and have managed to break through to the front of the field to claim national medals and a Henley Women’s Regatta qualification this season. However, some would question whether this quad have peaked too early. With a strong performance at NSR, they were cut short at Henley Women’s in the semi-finals by a composite crew and lost out at GB trials to fellow competitors Hexham, bringing the question as to whether they will pull together in time to claim a medal at the end of the week.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Creating an initial impression back in head season, Wallingford disbanded from the pack to fly into second position at the Junior Sculling Head, pipped only by Henley RC, who are notably absent from this event. Yet, they decided to leave the sculling scene and race an eight at NSR where their claimed a silver medal, leaving them only dreaming about their potential quad performance. Returning for a final taste of glory, Wallingford have produced what looks to be their ‘A’ crew in a bid to lock down the British Championships before the long winter months.
Tideway Scullers School
Rounding out the top five at NSR, Tideway Scullers School (TSS) are ready to step up onto that podium and claim the last national medals of the season. After placing third at Junior Inter-regional Regatta, TSS has already proven they have the necessary speed, they just need to apply it in the time trial on Friday. Joining Hartpury, TSS seemed to fall off at Henley Women’s, placing fifteenth in the time trial and missing out on qualification by fourteen seconds in what was a disappointing result for them. However the crew have since had time to build back together, and we should see them back on their top form on Friday.
George Watsons’ College Boat Club
Being the first crew to not qualify for Henley Women’s could start the revenge race from George Watsons’ as they prove their true skill and expertise. Having been training for that much needed 0.2 seconds, you can bet this crew will truly leave it all out on the course this week fuelled by their frustration. Their strong tenth place finish at NSR positions them well for the A final, and the stamina they displayed there should help them navigate the semi-finals against potentially more experienced crews. I believe this crew could be a dark horse in the competition, surprising a few people along the way.
Predictions:
If they have kept their speed from head season, Wallingford are in for a challenge from Hexham. I believe Wallingford could have a slight edge over Hexham, just pipping them on the line but both comfortably ahead of the Hartpury crew who should round out our medalists. Potentially challenging Hartpury for the bronze would be Tideway Scullers, but I think they will have to settle for fourth overall. Rounding out the A final will be George Watsons’ in a step up from NSR.
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