The uncertainty of the inaugural race of the season is what makes the turn of the new year so exciting. No matter how these girl’s J17 seasons ended, there is no doubt that maturing to J18 can be beneficial physiologically despite also being psychologically more demanding. With the summer period of rest and then pre-season now completed, it is already time for these girls to lay down a marker for their final season as juniors. The course at Chester is a great place to do this; with 5km of racing and nowhere to hide. Hopefully there will be some close results, yet there can be no doubt that the nature of it being the first head race, means upset is not off the cards. There will be five girls battling it out in the band 1 category:
Royal Chester RC- Cowdell
This female sculler will have the home water advantage over her competitors, though she should already feel confident- having placed 18th in the time trial at the Junior British Championships with a time of 8:59, in conditions that even the most advanced sculler would struggle to overcome. Cowdell then went on to place 5th in the C final, making her a promising candidate for this weekend.
Nottingham and Union- Nix and Dyson
I am yet to find any results from ‘Nix’, however, I do know the club travelled to Ross Regatta only a few weeks ago. This is an event which starkly contrasts the long slog of Chester sculls and so ‘Dyson’ should not be too disheartened by her narrow defeat at Ross Regatta to Exeter. The very short sprint on the Wye can not compare to the race these girls face on the Dee this Sunday.
York City- Appleton
The latest result for Appleton, is the WJ18 eight that finished last in the A final at the Junior British Championships. The move from the eight to the single is a rather drastic one, showing that if she can perform well this weekend, she is an incredibly well-rounded rower. York City tend to produce talented scullers and I doubt this will be an exception.
The Grange School Hartford- Jessop
I have been unable to find any results for ‘Jessop’, with this school often talking a small fleet to larger events. It would be great to see her push the other girl’s in this event.
I predict that Royal Chester RC ‘Cowdell’ will come out on top on Sunday.
TheNortherner
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