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As we near the end of the season, this year’s British Rowing Junior Championships may be the last time these 17/18 year old athletes represent their club at junior level. For this reason, this event holds great importance to many of the 52 scullers entered into the event, ensuring an exciting two days of racing as the battle commences for the prestigious title of the Women’s J18 British Champion.
Hartpury College – B Rabjohns
Hartpury College’s Biba Rabjohns is certain to be competitive next weekend. After taking 3rd place at GB U19 February trials she undeniably has speed in a single and will be looking for a medal this weekend. Whilst the sculler was missing in action at this year’s JSR and National Schools’ Regatta, she raced in Hartpury’s top quad at the recent Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta, suggesting she is back and ready to impress in the single. However, with multiple entries into the singles, doubles and quads this year it is possible Rabjohns won’t prioritise this event.
Sir William Perkins School – A Cowell
Another entry to the single sculls this year includes Anna Cowell from Sir William Perkins School. Impressive performances across both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons for this athlete, including two gold medals in the double at Coupe De La Jeunesse 2022 and two silver medals in the double at National Schools’ Regatta, followed up by promising results in the SWPS quad in the Diamond Jubilee at Henley two weeks ago evidence her sculling experience and strongly suggest that Anna is a strong competitor in this event, certainly for the A-final and possibly for the medals.
Glasgow Academy – B Wood
Following a win in the championship girls singles at National Schools’ Regatta 2023, Briony Wood from Glasgow Academy is undoubtedly well-trained in a single and will be on the hunt for a medal. Winning the NSR A-final by a margin of nearly 10 seconds, Wood is fierce competition and will surely challenge those who have raced at international levels.
Wycliffe Junior RC – K Burton
Kathryn Burton from Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club is an exciting entry to the category this year. Wycliffe’s ongoing success this season is partly due to the astounding depth and skill in their girl’s squad and Kathryn is certainly one of their top athletes, winning two bronze medals in the quad at Coupe De La Jeunesse 2022, followed by gold and bronze in the double at JSR and NSR respectively. Considering her similar levels of experience to Anna Cowell from Sir William Perkin’s School and with multiple encounters at the start lines of NSR and JSR A-finals in the championship double this year, the racing between these two scullers will be exciting as it can be expected that they will meet on the start line of the A-final once again.
Peterborough City RC – E Darrington
Ella Darrington from Peterborough City Rowing Club is certainly one to watch in this event. Following 3rd place at National Schools’ Regatta in the championship girls singles, an impressive performance in the single at Henley Women’s Regatta reaching the semifinals and considering her A-final finish in the same event last year at BJRC 2022, she has clearly trained and gathered experience as a single sculler and will have speed going into next weekend. There is no doubt Darrington will be aiming for the A-final.
Kingston Grammar School – L Crampin
Lola Crampin is another sculler who is likely to produce an impressive performance in the girl’s singles. After racing competitively in Kingston Grammar School’s top quad, placing 4th at both National Schools’ Regatta and Junior Sculling Regatta, it will be interesting to see where Crampin places in a competitive singles category, and it will not be surprising if she is in the mix with the country’s faster scullers.
Claire’s Court School BC – R Donn
Rebecca Donn from Claires Court School Boat Club is a competitor with a plethora of experience as a sculler (including a win in the Diamond Jubilee) and success in the single this season. Following 1st place in the single at Junior Sculling Regatta, it can be sure that Donn will have confidence in her ability as we near this year’s British Rowing Junior Championships.
Other notable entries for the event include S Whelehan, E Abraham, M Hurrell, L Saunders and M Appleby, who have all produced impressive performances this season leading to promising results and recognition as experienced scullers. However, it will be interesting to see how these skills translate into a single for those who have been training in larger boats this year.
Predictions
With an outstanding entry of 52 scullers into this event, it is all to play for between these competitors to reach the A-final and possibly the podium, and it will be exciting to watch those from smaller clubs rise to the challenge of this national competition. However, predictions for the fastest scullers who are likely to make the A-final and compete for the medals are K Burton, B Wood, A Cowell, B Rabjohns and L Crampin.
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