Quads are one of the hardest boats to row well, given the sheer number of moving parts and the technical cohesion needed to produce the kind of speed needed to compete at the top end of events. The club quads event will prove a stern examination of all of these crews, over such a long course, boat moving skills are vital to creating the efficiency needed. This event sees entries from a range of clubs both local and from far away.
London RC
One of the crews who are racing on their own stretch of the Tideway, London has two crews entered. As a club, London have been producing decent results in sculling events such as Pairs Head already this season. Whilst these athletes haven’t raced a huge amount, having two crews suggests decent depth to their squad, and I would expect both to be near the front of this field.
Agecroft RC
Another club with two boats entered, Agecroft are one of the stalwarts of the club rowing scene. At Agecroft Head they placed second in both the quad and the eight events that they raced, albeit not with the stiffest competition in the world. How well they have stepped on will define how they go here, but they have experience in producing good crews and would not be making the trip without belief in their speed.
Molesey BC
Winners of the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley this year, Molesey are one of the most recognised names on the club rowing circuit. With the strength of the system they have in place, they are one of the contenders in this event. Again, a club who haven’t raced a great deal yet so far this season makes form hard to judge, but the reputation of the club means we know this will be a solid, capable crew.
City of Cambridge RC
A club who recently opened their new boathouse, Cambridge are a club who are on the up, and bring their top boat into this quads event. They have form in the boat, winning the Cambridge Winter Head which will give them confidence going to the Tideway and racing some of the established names on the club scene. Being an ‘A’ crew it will be interesting to see how they compare.
Prediction
Without a huge amount of racing form to go off it is hard to call with any certainty the speeds of these crews. This preview is going off reputation more so than results so it will be interesting to see what comes and who masters the tricky art of quads rowing. If I had to make a call, I think Molesey will take the win here, followed by London and Agecroft.
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