This event was last held in 2015 and is one of the first long distance sculls events held nationally, preceding Wallingford. It is the first in the northern rowing LDS series so is one of our first chances to survey the competitiveness of the J18 scullers in the country. This year we see a reasonably small entry of 11 scullers, many of whom raced here 2 years ago. There is no outstanding scullers at first glance so this should be a competitive category.
King’s School Chester
Two entries from King’s this year: Clark and Ramsbottom. Neither appears to be a predominant sculler; both competed in sweep events at last years’ National Schools and Schools’ Head. I expect Ramsbottom to win this intra-squad battle, due to having raced in the top boats at NSR, The Champ 8 and Champ 4-, which placed 15th and 13th respectively, compared to Clark’s 10th and 22nd in the 2nd Eight and Champ 4+. That being said, sculling is a different ball game so either sculler could come out on top.
Trentham – Duncan-Lewis
This sculler appears to have spent most of his time in a pair last year, finishing 6th in an AB semi at NSR in the Champ 2-, and 3rd in the B final at Brit Junior Champs in J18 2-. Looking at these results there is a possibility of competitiveness here.
Northwich – Burke
On paper, this sculler has the most pedigree. He finished highest out of the field in Champ 1x at NSR, 2nd in the D final, as well as a 4th place in open quads at Brit juniors, so expect to see Burke in the top half of the results.
Lancaster Schools’ – Gelder
Last time at Chester, Gelder was the quickest of the scullers but a lot can change in two years. That being said he collected a second place in the D final at NSR, racing for RGS Lancaster, but with no one else in the field having raced in quads at NSR it is hard to see where this sculler is comparatively.
Trafford RC
Three entries from Trafford – Johnson, Stobart and Loates. Not much information on these three, apart from Johnson being the fastest of the three at Chester last time and Loates entered in Champ single at NSR but eventully scratched.
Merchant Taylors School – Carney
Finishing 35th in the Champ 1x at NSR, this sculler could be fairly competitive, although he didn’t place highly two years ago in Chester. It is also to be noted that he was part of a Champ double at NSR that was eliminated in the Time Trials.
Other Entries
Only two other entries in this event, Swithenbank from Hollingworth Lake, and Hancock from York City, there is not much information for either of these apart from Swithenbank being fairly competitive 2 years ago. They come from competitive clubs so I can foresee them both placing reasonably highly.
Predictions
I expect Burke, Ramsbottom and Duncan-Lewis to be fighting it out at the top, closely followed by almost all entries.
StrokeOnBowside
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