photo creds to @a_blind_photographer
This year’s junior W 4+ is a small category with only four boats entered to race the 6.8km stretch from Mortlake to Putney. As the head season gets well underway, the endurance and stamina of the athletes will be tested, as well as the quality of the steering by coxes.
KRC
Kingston look to be the crew to beat in this competition following a very successful few years including winning this event by over 30 seconds last year as a J17 crew. This will be the first time they race as a four this season after winning gold in the G4+ at National Schools in May, however, results from earlier this season: placing 2nd in the Championship WJ18 2- at Pairs Head suggest they have continued their sweeping success and go into Saturday’s event the favourites.
LEH
LEH have entered two boats and look likely to be trying out newly formed combinations in their first 4+ event this season. The first boat is stroked by O’Connor who also stroked their Ch G8+ to victory at National Schools in May this year and so whilst it is unclear which athletes will be in each respective four, they will definitely be looking to put in a strong performance. Having focused on their 8+ last season, it will be interesting to see whether these crews can build on their 18th place in the G4+ from National Schools in May.
Marlow
The Marlow crew will be looking to upgrade their win in the junior challenge W4+ from last year’s race in order to challenge for the top spot on Saturday. They have yet to race as a coxed four this season however they’ve demonstrated form in the WJ18 2-, winning at Reading Small Boats Head just over a month ago. They do also have previous experience in the four from last season, placing 6th in the WJ18 4- final at the British Junior Championships in July. This crew could also have athletes in their J17 year who have shown strong sweeping ability previously, winning both the WJ16 4+ and WJ16 2- at the British Championships last season.
Prediction
This looks to be an interesting race as some top crews face off in their first race in the 4+ this season. It could produce some close results, however Kingston seem to be the crew to beat having won this event at this race last year and at this summer’s National Schools.
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