Another year, another British Rowing Junior Championships (BRJC). This event often marks a farewell to the end of the regatta season and so competition in the Junior Women’s coxless quads looks to be hot with many clubs fighting for a strong final performance. Being mid-July at the end of the academic year for many school programmes, it leaves the BRJC as a battle between many club programmes for dominance over the club rowing circuit. With the missing overshadowing presence of some of the big names seen throughout this year, and the switch of some Henley Royal athletes from the eight to quad it’s sure to be an exciting one to watch unfold.
Claires Court
Despite going into Henley Royal as underdogs, Claires Court has now clearly established themselves at top of the pecking order when it comes to J18 coxless Quads. Under the leadership of coach Tom Jost, this Henley Royal winning lineup is going to be looking to add to their trophy cabinet and secure another gold to add to their collection. Claires Court has definitely taught us all that what happens at the start of the season has minimal effect on how it ends much like a race whereby those out at the start aren’t always guaranteed victory across the finish line. The crew have continued to build speed over the last few months and so it is a fair bet to have Claires Court bidding for the victory this weekend.
Henley Rowing Club
A well-established household name on the junior women’s rowing circuit, Henley Rowing Club has and continues to maintain its reputation of being one of the dominant forces in this field of UK rowing. Looking at the line-up, it appears that they have combined 3 athletes from their diamond Jubilee racing and National schools winning J16 quad with the formidable Henley force of Laiose O’Donohue who has clocked up numerous wins this season both in sculling and sweep. This grouping looks to provide an exciting race as these J16’s age up into J18 events and I’m sure will be learning many useful skills from the likes of O’Donohue as she ages up into her senior career leaving these athletes to maintain the reputation in the next season.
Hinksey Sculling School
Hinksey is definitely the phoenix rising from the ashes of this season as they step into becoming a formidable team and one that their competitors are having to keep their eye on. Placing third at National Schools and making it to the quarter-finals at Henley Royal are definitely two confidence boosters into the strength of their programme. However, Hinksey has been finding this success in the Eight. Their sculling success has yet to really be seen but this arguably could be due to lack of opportunity rather than strength. If the name of their club is any indicator- these athletes will be well drilled in their sculling and which potentially places them in competition for a podium place in this event.
Hartpury
Hartpury’s performance is always one of the more challenging to judge. This club appear to go through waves of top performances and then complete silence making them a dark horse in this event and a difficult one to place in the overall predictions. Recently at Henley Royal, they met future finalists Redwood, USA in the heats. This crew look to be well drilled in their small boat skill having built up some success earlier in the season. This should hopefully provide backing support into their British Junior Championships run as the course of Nottingham can be notoriously tricky with a continuous headwind that seems to run down the track so their ability to set small boats will likely aid them further against their opposition.
Lea RC
To epitomise this crew’s performance in one word it would be consistent. Throughout this season they have regularly found themselves in the top 10 across regattas and head races. With this being the final opportunity of the year, and the missing presence of clubs that filled 4 out of the 5 places above them at NSR such as Shiplake and Wycliffe could this be their time to shine?
Predictions
It would only be a fool after Henley Royal Regatta to not pick the winner of the Diamond Jubilee to also be the winner here hence my bets are on Claires Court for the victory. Where the real competition looks to be is for how the rest of the podium and the A final ends up. Many clubs like the previously mentioned and notably Sir William Perkins and St Pauls Girls will also be challenging to place as highly as they can. If I had to predict though it will be a confident win from Claires Court followed by Henley Rowing Club and Hinksey Sculling School taking silver and bronze respectively. With the unknown nature though of many of these crews even this late in the season, I am confident this will be an exciting one to watch unfold.
Image Credit: Drew Smith
Copyright: Drew Smith Photography
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