Arguably the biggest race of the season so far, Fours Head will be the first chance for athletes to race the full 6.8km of the championship course from Chiswick to Putney. With an impressive 23 entries, many from clubs that will look to be among the medals in the latter part of the season, Junior Challenge 4+’s is set to be an interesting category.
King’s College School
Fresh back from the Head of the Charles in Boston, King’s has entries spread across multiple categories and this will not be their top four athletes. This crew is likely to be similar to their coxed four, made up largely of J17’s from their overseas trip who finished 31/85 entries in the Men’s Youth Fours. If this is the case, they will have had time together as a crew and racing on their home water, will be looking to produce a fast time that will put them towards the top of the category.
Hampton
Like King’s, Hampton has only the one entry in this category, the name attached to their entry is Hector Barnes, who rowed in the J16 VIII at NSR that, after an impressive 4th place in the time trial and a narrow loss to Westminster in the semi-finals, could only manage 5th in the B final. However, they proved their speed at various points last season and have just returned from a training camp in Temple-Sur-Lot so should not be underestimated.
Winchester
Winchester has three boats entered in this category. However, the one that should be given special attention is WIN (B) as, judging from the names associated with the crews, the other two are j16 fours whilst this one is a j17 entry. This could be the same four that finished second in the B final of NSR last year and if so the athletes in the boat will have experience racing alongside each other, something they will hope to use to their advantage.
Abingdon
Once a dominating force in junior rowing, many had written Abingdon off in recent years. However, their now J17’s look to be pushing for a return to the top for their boat club. Having beaten out KCS for the bronze medal in J16 8s at NSR last year, they will be looking to carry this form into the new season. With what appears to be one J18 and one J17 entry, do not be surprised if you see them near the top on Saturday. A win at Fours Head will not immediately re-establish them at the top of junior rowing, but it will say a lot about their intentions for the season to come.
Eton
Much was said of Eton’s depth in 8s last year. Whatever the strategy was during the season, it paid off with an Eton VIII taking the win in 2nd VIIIs at NSR and one making the final of PE against St Pauls. The names attached to Eton’s entries may both have been in their 3rd VIII last year but by no means does that equal a lack of speed. Eton produces talented oarsmen, whether they will be fast enough for the other school’s entries is another question.
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury also featured at the Head of the Charles, the name attached to their singular entry competed there in the Men’s Youth Quad and finished 29/40. They also raced in their J16 VIII last year that finished 3rd in the B final, only three seconds ahead of Hampton. Like Abingdon, Shrewsbury has a reputation as a rowing school but I don’t know if this crew will have the speed to compete with some of the other entries in this category
Westminster
Racing on home water and with a reputation as a top rowing school, many would expect to see Westminster near the top of any category. However, the four entries from Westminster appear to be all J16 crews, it is notable though that two of the names attached raced in their J15 VIII that picked up a silver medal at NSR. The crew names entered may not represent those in the boat, but if they are accurate I can’t see them keeping the pace of the older crews.
Prediction
With a multitude of strong entries, this category should be tight. I can’t claim to make any obvious predictions. But my gut says that the resurgent boys from Abingdon may have enough to snatch a win. But expect them to be followed closely by any combination of Hampton, King’s and Eton.
TidewaySweeper
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