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For many people, the end of Henley Royal Regatta meant the end of competitive season for 2023. There is however one more race: the British Rowing Junior Championships, which this year will be in Strathclyde in Scotland. With 54 entries it is evident that many people are eager to compete at the national level. This will allow for competitive and exciting racing, and the perfect opportunity to showcase the strength in depth of junior men’s sculling.
Cambridge ’99 RC
Ben Mead will surely come into this weekend as the overwhelming favourite, having won at National Schools’ in May by 14 seconds. He was 19 seconds ahead of the best-placed opponent who he will face in Strathclyde. This dominance has been consistent across the season, and it is very difficult to see who will be able to beat Mead down the course to gold.
Tyne RC
Robert Collen is another rower to look out for, as someone who will certainly be aiming for a medal position if not the overall win. His 3rd place at National Schools’ will come as a boost to his prospects in Scotland. Known for a fast acceleration in the last moments of the race, Collen recorded the fastest last 500m in the race at NSR.
Glasgow Academy RC:
Finlay Kalkman is yet another strong sculler competing in Strathcylde, with 1 BRJC already under his belt. He finished 9th overall last year as a J17, so has experience at the highest level. A 9th place finish at National Schools may have been disappointing, so it will be interesting to see how Kalkman reacts to this setback.
Other crews
There are several other strong scullers who are also in the hunt for a podium place. Jack Allingham (Bedford RC) won the B final at National Schools, and Max Crampin of Kingston Grammar School was the best-placed J17. Jack Harlow of The Windsor Boys’ must not be written off either, with an illustrious season to date.
Predictions
However, I am going for a Ben Mead 1st place victory, with Robert Collen in 2nd place, closely followed by Finlay Kalkman.
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