Taking place at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham, the British Rowing Junior Championships is the last big junior event before the end of the season. As usual, the WJ18 2x is a very popular event, with clubs from all over the country entering their athletes to race. There is sure to be some very tough competition, with various of the crews entered having a very strong season of racing behind them, particularly following earlier events such as National Schools’ Regatta and, for some crews, even Henley Women’s Regatta.
Marlow RC – E Lombardo, K Robbins
There are two Marlow doubles entered for this event. Both Lombardo and Robbins seem to have done most of their racing this season in the coxless quad, coming first in the WJ18 4x- at Junior Sculling Regatta, 7th overall (and first in the B final) at National Schools’ Regatta in the ChG4x- and also reaching the semi finals of the J4x- at Henley Women’s Regatta this year, where they lost to a Tideway Scullers School crew. With strong results in the quad, it will be interesting to see how the girls do when split off into the double sculls.
Sir William Perkin’s School – E Ayoade
Ella Ayoade has had a very strong season in a variety of small boats. At Pairs Head she came 7th overall in the WJ18 Championship 2x and took gold in the WJ18 2x at National Schools’ Regatta last year. She raced in the junior quad which qualified for Henley Royal Regatta in 2018, and in the same year also got through to the quarter finals of the WJ18 4x- at Henley Women’s Regatta. This season, Ayoade came 9th in the ChG1x at National Schools’ Regatta and won the highly competitive J2x at Henley Women’s Regatta, a very impressive achievement.
Henley RC – C Williams
There’s not a huge range of results for Williams, however she raced in the junior VIII which got through to the semi-finals at Henley Women’s Regatta, and also came first in the WJ18 2x at Henley LDS. Given the wider range of results for various other crews entered, it will be interesting to see how this Henley crew fares.
Gloucester Hartpury RC – C Enright, K Spencer, M Fisher
There are three Hartpury crews entered for this event. Charlotte Enright’s crew seems to be the strongest on paper, with a win in the championship doubles at National Schools’ Regatta in addition to first place in the WJ18 2x at Junior Sculling Head. Meanwhile, Karrie Spencer came 7th overall in the championship double at NSR (taking 1st place in the B final). Both Enright and Spencer then came together with two other Hartpury rowers, Ruth Mcateer and Rhiannon Morgan to race in the championship quad, where they came 4th overall. There are no past race results available for Fisher.
Walton RC – T Thomas
The Walton juniors have had rather a good season. Tallulah Thomas won the WJ17 single scull at Junior Sculling Head, and also took first place in the WJ17 double sculls at Weybridge Silver Sculls. At Junior Sculling Head, her quad came 8th overall in the Wj17 category, and the quad also won their category at Kingston Head. It seems that the Walton juniors have had a successful sculling season all round, so it will be exciting to see how this double does in the coming races.
King’s Ely – R Garrett
Rebecca Garrett has had a storming season so far. Back at the 2018 BRJC, she won the WJ18 single sculls, and has since followed this achievement with a win in the U19 doubles at the British Rowing Senior Championships. She won the WJ18 double at Star Club Head and followed this with a win at both Marlow Town Regatta and Peterborough Spring Regatta. At National Schools’ Regatta, Garrett raced in the ChG4x-, which unfortunately didn’t make it past the heat. However, despite this, Garrett’s season has been very successful, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if her crew placed very highly.
Mossbourne Rowing Academy – R Van Doorn
Robine Van Doorn most recently came 8th overall in the ChG2x at National Schools’ Regatta, having taken second place in the B final. In addition to this, her crew came 4th overall in the WJ18 double at Junior Sculling Regatta, and Van Doorn took bronze in the Year 12 girls’ category at National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships.
With other crews from clubs as far as Strathclyde Park and Durham School entered for this event, it will certainly provide a range of very tight racing. With so many strong junior crews entered in the draw, it will be exciting to see who can pull it out of the bag one last time to reach the top places.
Predictions:
1. Kings’ Ely – Garrett
2. Sir William Perkins School – Ayoade
3. Gloucester Hartpury – Enright
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