Hampton Head 2018 – WJ18 4x

Hampton Head is always a good marker of how crews are progressing through the season, and this year’s race is no exception. The draw suggests that the women’s junior coxless quads is going to be an exciting event. With such a large draw it will be very interesting to see how the race develops, especially with some top junior rowers going head to head.

BMS – Eales

Though there isn’t that much in terms of past race results for this crew, they most recently won the J17 category at the Cambridge Head to Head, with another win at the Star New Year Head and strong performances at BRIC over the past few years. They have the potential to do very well in the upcoming race.

BEB – Stone

Again, there isn’t that much information on the Bewl Bridge crew’s successes in recent years, however, they won the WJ16 4x- at the 2016 Ball Cup, and also won their category at last year’s Peterborough Spring Regatta, suggesting the potential for a good result.

GLB – Kershaw, Fitzpatrick

Globe is known to have a very strong junior squad, and this Globe crew are most likely going to place well at the race. Kershaw’s quad took silver at the 2017 National Schools Regatta, and were also medalists at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. There is no information of the performance of Fitzpatrick’s crew, so it will be interesting to see how they do.

GRN – Matthews

Whilst there isn’t that much information to be found on the crew entered, Matthews took the silver medal at the Concept 2 Indoor Rowing League, suggesting a potentially strong performance to come from this crew.

HEN – Fletcher

As per usual, the Henley quad is most likely going to be the one to beat. The crew qualified for the final at 2017 Henley Women’s Regatta in the J16 category, and had a very strong race at British Junior Champs. They also won their race at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, demonstrating their power and skill in the quad.

KCA – Williamson

The Kings Canterbury quad won their category at the Maidstone Head, and various members of the squad also came away with wins from Barnes and Mortlake Regatta. The junior squad appears to have been doing well recently, so it will be interesting to see how the quad performs at the weekend.

MBC – Leppard

The quad won their race at Kingston Head and then went on to race well at National Schools’ Regatta, where they just missed out on a medal. However, demonstrating their dedication to rowing, Leppard and other members of the MBC junior squad are rowing 40 miles to raise money for a rowing tank for their club – suggesting a lot of training, which can only give them an advantage for the race.

NOW – Cushen

Northwich juniors have been performing steadily in recent times. This quad previously won at the Agecroft Head and the Northwich Autumn Head, as well as taking the silver medal at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta.

QAS – Hewlett, McCarthy

With two crews entered for this category, Queen Anne’s seem to be prepared for some good racing this weekend. Hewlett won gold at the South of England Indoor Rowing Championships, and McCarthy was part of the sprint team that took bronze at the same event. However, there is no information available about their past performances at Head races, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of their races.

SHP – Sharman

This is another crew to watch. Sherman took part in the GB Junior trials as part of the Early ID Assessment, and placed very well. In addition to this, she was part of the J17 pair which won at last year’s Hampton Head. Given the strong performances of much of the Shiplake squad, I would imagine that this quad will do very well in the coming race.

SWP – Taylor, Ayoade

SWP is another school club which has a strong track record with its juniors. Whilst there is no information on Taylor’s 4x-, Ayoade and the rest of the crew won the women’s four at Fours Head, and also took first place in the coxless quad at Reading Small Boats Head.

WLT – Stenning

This crew looks as if it will be strong competition in the coming race. Stenning took silver in her single at National Junior Sculling Regatta, and was also in the pair that won the WJ18 category at Pairs Head. I would imagine that they will do very well this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how the race pans out.

The draw also includes crews from Headington, Tideway Scullers School, both of whom I imagine will also provide tough competition, Kings School Ely, Kingston Grammar School, Lady E Holles RC, Canford School, Bryanston School, Emanuel School, St Edwards School, St Paul’s Girls School and Monmouth Comprehensive School. With so many crews entered, it will be very exciting to see the results of the race.

My prediction is that Henley RC will be the ones to beat due to them having been so strong in recent times.

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Lucy Lloyd

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