Looming, somewhat dubiously, around the corner is Hammersmith Head. << With the forecast [the organisers] are confident that the race will go ahead on Sunday. The decision is whether it will be run on a yellow or green flag. >> So while the judiciary peoples in the rowing community are confident that the race will take place, what conditions the athletes will be subject to remains to be seen. For this boat class, a yellow or a green flag shouldn’t make too much of a difference. With a cox and a boat full of eight 80kg-or-so rowers these big-boats should be sat pretty level on the water. The keyword being ‘should’ because, as all London-based rowers know well by now, the Tideway is in the midst of its annual temper tantrum and all we can do is watch.
St Paul’s School Boat Club
A name that needs not much introduction are the Hammersmith-based boys in black in white. Coming into this race with a series of good results under their belt from races over various distances and in many boat classes, they must undoubtedly feel confident. Over the pond, the crew took the win at the Head of the Charles Regatta, and back on the Tideway SPS came second at Quintin Head in the Open Champ 8+ category, only 0.3 seconds off Thames Rowing Club. However both these crews would have been their 1st VIII, and with GB trials this weekend it’s highly unlikely their Hammersmith boat will be the same as it has been so far. However, we know St Paul’s cope very well when it comes to fishing out squad depth and bumping rowers up from second and third boats. It looks like SPS are in a strong position for this weekend.
Westminster School Boat Club
Also surely dealing with the loss of 1v members to GB trials, WSBC, like many others on Sunday, are likely to be putting out a mix of their top boats. Based in Putney, this squad and their cox will be well versed with the course, maybe gaining them crucial seconds by staying on the stream and not falling prey to the mistakes we see with inexperienced steersmen. Coming third at Hampton Head by seven seconds to Hampton and Kings, the latter of those being a local rivalry, it might seem interesting that Westminster are so high in the start order, only second to St Paul’s. However, the organisers would have looked at each the personal ranking index of each member of the crew, how many points they’ve amassed from their entire racing career, and done the start order accordingly. This suggests the WSBC boat might just have some experienced hands in the mix and could provide some good competition.
Predictions
With Hammersmith Head being on the same course as Quintin, an abridged version of that for School’s Head, every crew will be looking to put out a strong performance as we move into the latter part of the head-racing season. St Paul’s look to be the favourites for Sunday, there’s just no denying them at this point in the year. However Kings College School took the win at Quintin, with the lack of SPS in their category, but this is a school not to be underestimated. From their Henley Royal campaign last year their program has been making distinct steps and it’ll be interesting to see what they can do this weekend. Other top spots are likely to be filled by the usual names, Westminster Boat Club, Hampton School, and Radley College Boat Club.
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