With fewer entries than some of the other events at British Rowing Junior Championships, the WJ18 VIII category should nonetheless provide very competitive, with a number of very strong crews entered.
Henley RC – P Fletcher
This Henley crew has done marvellously over the past season. At National Schools’ Regatta the crew came 2nd in the Championship VIIIs. They also won the U23 VIII at Wallingford Head and the WJ18 octuple at Henley 4s and 8s Head, two fantastic achievements. In addition to this, the crew won the Girls Championship VIII event at Schools’ Head, giving another very strong performance on the course. Given their competence and the results from this season, I’d expect this crew to be aiming for first place in this event.
St Paul’s Girls/ Tideway Scullers School – C Humphris
Though as of yet there is only one available result for this composite crew, both TSS and St Paul’s Girls School are both known for their strong junior squads. Most recently, the crew raced at Henley Women’s Regatta, reaching the quarter finals where they were beaten by the St Paul’s School (USA) crew. The TSS juniors also came third in the WJ18 8+ at Quintin Head, which is another good result for members of the crew.
Great Marlow School – D De Winnaar
At Hammersmith Head, the crew came 4th overall in the W Sch/Jun VIII, and 5th overall at Wallingford Head in the WJ18 8+. There are no further results available for this crew as an eight, however they have been successful in smaller boats this season, with the WJ18 4x- racing at the Junior Sculling Head, as well as taking 3rd place in the quad at Wallingford 4s and 8s Head. The girls’ quad also won their category at Reading Small Boats Head. Given a lack of results for the eight, it is difficult to place this crew – however there are some strong results from them in different crew combinations, so it will certainly be interesting to see how they fare.
Cantabrigian RC – F Sutcliffe
Results for the Cantabrigian VIII are generally from more local races. However, Sutcliffe’s crew came 7th overall in the Girls Sch 1st VIII at SHORR, which is a fantastic achievement, particularly as this is the first time that a Cantabs crew has placed within the top 10 crews for this event. At the Cambridge Winter League, they were the second fastest women’s VIII overall, winning the WJ18 8+ category by a definite margin, and also won the WJ18 VIII at Cambridge Autumn Head, taking the title of the 4th fastest women’s crew overall. These are not inconsiderable achievements, and I’m keen to see how this crew does.
York City RC – T Forde
There is only one result available for the York City crew. At Rutherford Head they took second place in the WJ18 VIII, an impressive result. It will be interesting to see how this Northern crew fares, as it seems possible that they will have had less opportunity to size up their opposition than the rest of the crews who have faced each other in various events by this point in the season.
Predictions:
1. Henley RC
2. St Pauls/TSS
3. Cantabrigian RC
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