To many, Hampton Head is as close as a “long distance” race can get to a 2k regatta. The relatively shorter distance along with the stream helps to swing crews down the course before the characteristic stress of a head race can set in. I think crews will be looking to split the 3-or-so-kilometre course up into several sections. Out of the blocks, it’s a pretty much dead straight line down past Sunbury Court, followed by a slight coil in the river, where the steerspeople must act to prevent collision with the aptly positioned safety launches, before Platt’s Eyot, where engines can be revved down a strait to the finish. I think crews that have trust in their race plan, and stick to it down the course, could receive an exciting taste of summer racing here to spur them through the rest of the winter season.
Westminster School Boat Club
The first troop I wish to mention are the boys from what is reputedly considered the oldest boat club in the world. Westminster School have a fantastic programme that has proven hugely effective, consistently swanning into the A final at National Schools’ Regatta. Additionally, they have many returners from last year’s first eight, such as Lewis-Ward, Chen, and Gutsev. Not only will this leave the crew teeming with confidence and racing experience, but it’ll also give them a real hunger. They have the pleasure to set off right before KCS Wimbledon, the club that sent them on their way home from their Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup pursuit last year. Their proximity in the start order makes this a sort of grudge match, that I look forward to seeing unfold.
King’s College School Wimbledon Boat Club
KCS are another London-based club that can perform to the highest standard throughout the racing calendar. Coming from a win in the J18 category of Quintin Head, this crew will be confident in its performance at Hampton Head. I believe this to be a relatively young crew mixed with some experienced J18s such as Will Bishop and James Richards. I hope to see them picture that Westminster crew setting off some seconds before them as a pink-bullseye and throw all that they have at them to overturn the predictions of the start order.
Hampton School Boat Club
Hampton will be put at an instant advantage as they’ll be operating on home territory. I think the trap that this race presents to its competitors is the turns in the river following the straight-line start. I can almost guarantee there will be a crew that tears through the opening straight of the course but suffers by disregarding the technical steering required immediately after. This will be of minimal concern to Hampton. They’ll be more than sure of how to tackle the 3k that lies ahead of them this weekend and approach it with little worry of error.
Predictions
After all the cancellations from the first half of the season, we’re almost grasping at straws after this winter training block when looking for predictions. I’d usually say that KCS and Westminster would be in a dogfight for that medal position, however, Hampton being accustomed to this idiosyncratic course could be a deciding factor of their success. I think this time, as is often the case really, we might just have to wait and see…
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