As the holiday season draws near, there’s no better way to wrap up the year than with a challenging head race on the iconic River Thames. Spanning 6.8km of the winding, often congested Tideway course, the junior women’s coxless fours event promises a highly competitive and thrilling contest. With 13 crews lined up, the race will feature some of the best junior talent, eager to make a statement before the Christmas break. Among the crews to watch are Headington, Henley, Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH), and Hinksey Sculling School—each squad hoping to carry their summer successes into the winter season.
Headington School
Headington has long been a dominant force in junior women’s sweep rowing, and the latest crop of talent continues to make waves. The standout name in their crew this year is Isobel Jeans, who has quickly established herself as one to watch. Having finished an impressive sixth at the U19 trials, Jeans will take on the responsibility of stroking the boat from a second-place start. She’s backed by Sophie Haisman, whose consistency and ability to drive the boat make her an invaluable asset. With Headington only entering one boat in this category, they hope to make a statement with their depth of skill, setting the tone for the winter season with a strong showing on the Tideway.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley’s juniors are always a formidable presence in this event, and their coxless four will likely be no exception. Known for their technical prowess and relentless work ethic, Henley will bring a well-coached crew to the race. Starting first, they’ll have the rest of the crews to push off of and will be expected to set the tone and pace of the race for the field. Henley are no stranger to Fours Head success, winning the same category in 2022 and 2021, the streak being hindered by a cancelled 2023 race. Aiming to continue their dominance in this event, Henley will be a crew to look out for as they charge down the course.
Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH)
LEH are, in my opinion, the underdogs of junior sweeping. They are slightly inconsistent with their results; sometimes, they get it right, and sometimes they don’t. However, when LEH do nail it, they can demonstrate raw power and remarkable technical ability, which stems from the club’s rich legacy, backed by an extensive history that includes international representation and podium finishes at the National Schools’ Regatta. If they can harness the skills and experience of their athletes, especially with their younger rowers starting to mature, a strong finish at the Fours Head could prove that they are legitimate contenders as we head into the new year. A high position here would provide the momentum and confidence LEH needs to make their mark in the upcoming months.
Hinksey Sculling School
Hinksey Sculling School enters this event as one of the clubs to beat, with a reputation for excellence in sculling and sweeping disciplines. Their crowning achievement last season was a narrow but thrilling win in the girl’s championship eight at the National Schools’ Regatta, which capped off a historic season of nail-biting competition between the top clubs of Britain. Currently, Hinksey should be well-positioned to contend for the top spot. Ottilie Campbell-Reide, a key member of their crew, is coming off a stellar summer, having represented Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse. Hinksey’s crew will undoubtedly be one to watch as they aim to carry their momentum forward into this crucial head race.
Honourable Mentions
Putney High School will aim to show their strength and depth in junior rowing, and its ‘home-court’ advantage could serve to help it through the twists of the Tideway. Wimbledon High School, with their growing reputation in the junior women’s category, will look to make an impact and challenge the established names. Similarly, Walton Rowing Club will look to gain valuable experience and hopefully challenge the previously mentioned crews to a hard race, all of which are fighting to get their club as high as it can get in the rankings.
Conclusion
With Headington, Henley, LEH, Hinksey Sculling School, and more all bringing well-prepared, hopeful crews to the Tideway, the junior women’s coxless fours event promises to be a highly competitive and exciting race. Each of these clubs has a distinct character that will influence their performance during the early days of the 24/25 season, and with that, all will be looking to make a statement as the season progresses. I believe Headington will walk away with the win, followed closely by either Hinksey or Henley. Nevertheless, the 6.8k race will be able to whittle out the winner from this tight group of contenders.
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