As the head racing season nears its conclusion and attention begins shifting towards regatta racing, the Junior 15 women’s eight crews are gearing up for one of the final key tests of the winter season—Hammersmith Head. Covering a demanding 4.4-kilometre stretch along the Tideway, this race will be an invaluable experience for these developing athletes, particularly given the disruptions to the season caused by unpredictable weather conditions. With a strong lineup of crews and tight margins at recent races, Sunday’s contest promises to deliver an exhilarating battle for the top spots.
Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club
Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) enter Hammersmith Head in formidable form, having delivered a statement performance at Quintin Head, where they secured second place with a time of 13:21.15—just 1.5 seconds behind Headington. While the deficit was minimal, it highlights how competitive this squad is on long courses, particularly in a head-to-head setting. LEH’s Junior 15 programme has been on a steady rise, with last season’s J14s reaching both the first B-final and an impressive second place in the A-final at the National Schools’ Regatta. This consistency across the seasons, combined with their club’s overall strength—evidenced by winning the Victor Ludorum at Quintin Head—positions them as a key contender for the top of the podium.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
The reigning National Schools’ Regatta champions in the Junior 14 octuple category, Surbiton High School Boat Club will be looking to translate their dominance in sculling into sweep success. With a blistering 3:34 time at the National Schools’ Regatta last year, they edged out Lady Eleanor Holles by four seconds—roughly one split per 500m—a small but significant gap in racing terms. Surbiton’s two entries at Hammersmith suggest a strong and competitive squad, with internal rivalry likely pushing their top boat towards the sharp end of the field. As they adapt further to sweep rowing and longer distances, their technical execution and ability to maintain speed over the entire Tideway course will be crucial in determining whether they can replicate last season’s dominance.
Sir William Perkins School Boat Club
Sir William Perkins School Boat Club (SWPS) have built a reputation for developing strong junior squads, and their performances this season indicate they will be in the mix for top positions at Hammersmith. With successful U19 GB trialists and a comprehensive training programme—including large-scale race simulations at Dorney—SWPS have ensured their J15s are well-prepared for the demands of a long head race. Their recent results at Wycliffe Big Head, with a possible split into two quads, secured first and fifth in the Junior 15 coxed quad category- suggesting a depth of talent that will serve them well as they reunite in a bigger boat. With two entries at Hammersmith, they will be looking to assert themselves as serious contenders in a highly competitive field.
Henley Rowing Club
A club known for consistently producing high-performing junior athletes, Henley Rowing Club will be another to watch this weekend. While much of their recent success has come in small boats, their second-place finish at the British Rowing Junior Championships in the Junior 14 women’s coxed quad and their silver medal in the same category at the National Schools’ Regatta highlight the strength of their current Junior 15 cohort. Additionally, the club’s presence at GB trials suggests a robust development system that could translate well into this event. While it remains to be seen how they fare in an eight, Henley’s pedigree and race experience make them a crew that cannot be overlooked.
Prediction
With such a tightly contested field, predicting the exact podium is no easy task. However, based on recent and last season results, the battle for gold will likely be fought between Lady Eleanor Holles Rowing Club and Surbiton High School Boat Club. LEH’s experience in sweep boats and their performance at Quintin Head make them strong contenders, but Surbiton’s raw speed, as demonstrated at the National Schools’ Regatta last year, gives them a real shot at victory. Sir William Perkins, with their solid training foundations and history of strong performances, are also well-positioned to challenge for a top-three finish.
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