Bringing the season for most of these athletes, many of whom are at or just under trialist level, a long and hot day of racing for all the 64 crews entered is sure to prove a test of resilience and will give us our final medalists of the season.
Henley Rowing Club
After a phenomenal year at HRC, with every J16-J18 member winning a gold medal at NSR, the crew of Gwennie Hunter and Matilda Macartnery face high expectations but also have a high chance of continuing their winning streak. They normally race as bow pair of a J16 quad, the other half of which has been entered into the J16 2x category with the club clearly aiming to collect as much metal as possible.
Claire’s Court School Boat Club
Also taking half of a quad, albeit stern pair, that had success at NSR – coming 3rd in the hugely competitive Champ 4x category – is the double of Hannah Hickson and Nuala MacFarlane. Working together earlier in the season will have given these two an unspoken level of synchronisation, that may allow them to challenge HRC. Certainly, I would mark them as favourites off the back of their shock win at HRR, which overturned more established female sculling programmes to take a commanding victory in races against Redwood USA and Shiplake (the latter of which seem to be surprisingly omitted from this competition).
Wycliffe College
Burt and Fielder combine to represent with Wycliffe team in the double scull, where their counterparts appear to be racing singles. Burt, the 2 seat of Wycliffe’s second crew, was hugely successful in winning the Wimbledon Centenary cup at NSR as well being the only ‘B’ boat to qualify for this year’s Diamond Jubilee. She is joined by Fielder, who sat bow of the Wycliffe 1st boat, and set an impressive record of speed: victorious at JSH, HWR finalists and HRR semi-finalists. Despite a season apart, I am confident the pair will be able to combine for one last race to the season.
Other Mentions
I suggest Molesey, Hartpury, Trentham and the Maidenhead/ Blue Coat composite will provide challenge, especially after commanding seasons from all athletes, many of whom qualified for HRR demonstrating experience and serious speed. However, It is also worth mentioning clubs such as Exeter, Globe and Newark RC, who I think will impress on such a diverse stage.
Predications
While I mark the HRR victors as champions, If this HRC crew is able to move a 2x in the similar manner to the way they moved their 4x, which allowed them to set faster times than all of the J18 crews while in their J16 category, it seems that they will be an formidable force. However due to the vast number of crews entered, and the nature of Brit Champs to provide surprises year after year, nothing is set in stone until their bowball has crossed the buoy line for the last time. The double scull event always has a different feel compared to some in the earlier season, with crew boats splitting up for a last ‘hurrah’ in smaller classes, lots of previously hidden talent will be revealed.
Image Credit: Drew Smith
Copyright: Drew Smith Photography
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