UPDATE
*This event has now been cancelled-but we thought we would still give you our preview*
As we fully reach the middle of November, this can only mean one thing; the end of the Northern Rowing Long Distance Sculls is coming to a finale, which implies a visit to possibly the shortest head race in the UK, Durham, which at a brisk 1800m is raced as a regatta in the summer. Possibly the highlight of the course – for spectators at least – is racing through Elvet bridge, arches which only have a few inches clearance, made even harder by being right on the corner. With the competition on a knife-edge to whether the race will even go ahead, with some severe flooding earlier in the week, if it does go ahead, there will be some difficult conditions to contest.
Junior Quads
Only three entries in J17 quads this week, St Leonards, Durham School, and Yarm School. Out of the three crews, Yarm and Durham have been closely matched this season, and a step above St Leonards. At Tees SBH, Yarm got the better of Durham by three seconds, which isn’t a huge margin, but I will still back them to win this weekend, if they manage to steer Elvet Bridge correctly, otherwise Durham School will gain a home advantage and take home the win.
Junior Doubles
Only one J17 double, from Durham School, and I do not believe that this was a priority boat. In the J16 double category, there are five entries, St Leonards, Talkin Tarn, Sunderland City, QEHS and Yarm. Of these, I think the Talkin Tarn double will be the fastest, after taking second place at Wansbeck last week, but as always with this course, Elvet bridge can cost you, and as the race is so short, a small mistake can cost you more, as a higher percentage of your overall time.
Junior Singles
Two J18 singles and five J17 singles this week. In the more senior category, there are entries from QEHS and Durham ARC. Out of these two, Morris from Durham ARC is the stronger sculler and would expect him to take that category. In the J17 category, Norman from Talkin Tarn is probably the favourite to take it, with the other four scullers coming from Chester-Le-Street and QEHS, two apiece from each. Although good scullers, they will not challenge Norman, and there will be a good contest between Norman and Morris for fastest junior sculler ahead of junior trials next week.
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