One of the longest, and arguably one of the most famous heads’ races to take place on the Tideway, HOR4s takes place over the 6.8km championship course from Mortlake to Putney. Infamous for its inclement conditions and notoriously difficult steering, the Tideway promises to provide these W4- a grueling race.
Tideway Scullers School
Under the coaching of Kieran Clark, Tideway Scullers School can proudly call itself one of the highest performing clubs for senior women in England, amassing 11 wins at HWR since 2016 and 4 in 2021 alone. Sitting at bow in one of TSS’s two entries is Catriona Scott. An extremely accomplished rower and sculler, Catriona was part of both the winning Scottish 4x+ and 8+ at the Home International Regatta between England, Scotland and Wales in 2019. Attracting some of the best rowers from around the country, it is only expected that Catriona’s crewmates match her caliber. With an undoubtabley strong squad, it is no surprise if both of these TSS boats are very high up on the results’ table.
Thames Rowing Club
Another club with a particularly strong senior womens’ division, TRC have been on the receiving end of 4 HWR wins since 2015, were finalists in both the Princess Grace and Wargrave cups at HRR 2021 and the winners of the WClub 8+ at the Met Regatta 2021. Steering their ‘B’ boat is Emma Feerick; part of the 8+ that narrowly beat TSS for the win at the Met 2021 and the 8+ that came 24/300 at Women’s Head 2018, Emma’s vast experience is clear. With 2 entries in this category, TRC are sure to be vying for a strong result.
Other Entries
Another club with multiple entries is Vesta Rowing Club, with Helen Gunn and Caitlin Kickham at bow of each of their two crews. Neither of them are strangers to the senior womens’ circiut, with Gunn coming 6th in the 4- at Marlow and Kickham coming first in the B final in her 8+, also at Marlow. Sitting alongside them on Putney Embankment are London Rowing Club with 3 entries. Recently, Rowena Price competed in the heats at HRR in the Wargave Cup and came first in the B final at Marlow in her 4x; while now she sits at bow of one of the LRC boats in HOR 4s.
Prediction
All of the aforementioned crews are very familiar with eachother, constantly competing at elite levels of womens’ racing. With all of them being situated on the Tideway, there is no relative home-ground advantage in play, but their familiarity with the course would hold them in good stead for HOR4s. Due to past accomplishments of their crew, I believe one of the Tideway Scullers School crews will emerge victorious, something they are very well aquainted with. However, who fills up the remainder of the podium places is difficult to predict and remains to be seen.
Britney Steers
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