Arguably the most regatta-like head race in the country awaits us for the final in the Northern Rowing Sculling Series this coming weekend. The opening 5k on the Tyne six weeks ago, contrasting the 1.8k finale on the Wear this week, shows the impressive adaptability that the juniors are forced to showcase. The decider for many of the events will come down to how they tackle Elvet Bridge; Europe’s most narrow row-able bridge, which sits across a near 90 degree bend in the river. Many rowers will just be beginning their 2018/19 campaign, but with the northerners well into this season already, Saturday will bring some excellent racing, with crews making a final push to claim the Victor Ludorum.
WJ18 4x-
Here we have the three fastest WJ18 quads in the region facing each other for the first time this year. At Tyne head it was Tyne RC that were victorious over Durham School, with Tyne RC also racing at Berwick with no competition. Durham ARC arrived on the scene last weekend in Sunderland, where they beat Tyne by 28 seconds on the 4750m course. Durham ARC will be on home water, which is hugely advantageous when faced with this course and so Durham ARC should take the win again.
WJ17 4x-
The last time these crews faced each other was at Tyne SBH when St Leonard’s School beat Queen Elizabeth High School by 2 minutes 30 seconds over 5km. St Leonards do have a change in crew since then and it will be interesting to see how much time QEHS can make up over the much shorter course.
WJ16 4x-
This should be another win for the girls from Tyne RC who have had a very impressive beginning to their J16 season, as a whole squad. They beat the crew from QEHS by 1 minutes and 50 seconds on the Tyne which would be difficult to make up but it’s worth considering that anything can happen at Elvet Bridge.
WJ18/17 2x
This could be a tight race between Durham School and Tyne RC, although the Tyne girls that raced at Tyne were significantly off the pace of Cambois– who are entered as WJ17. The Durham School girls had strong single sculling performances at Berwick which puts them in very good stead for a race at home.
WJ16 2x
When Talkin Tarn and Cambois raced each other at Tyne it was Cambois that led by almost three minutes which implies that, should Cambois get the all- important course right, then they will take the win.
WJ18 1x
Three Durham School boats entered here- perhaps another tactical move as they look to claim the series VL. Though, it is DS Gledson’s race to lose as she prepares for early ID GB trials in a weeks’ time. The Tyne sculler entered has done well in the quad but is yet to show that she can challenge Durham School’s top sculler.
WJ17 1x
The Durham School entry here has put out many strong performances in the past but has recently struggled to top Cambois’s Furness who was, in fact, second fastest in Great Britain at J16. It was Cambois that made winning look easy at South Hylton a week ago and this time should be no different.
WJ16 1x
Only Tyne entered here which highlights the fact that Chester Le Street have no entries at all at Durham- which is very surprising and particularly in this category, where they usually win comfortably. The Tyne sculler will no doubt look to make an impression on the WJ17 girls.
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