There are an extraordinary 61 entries in this category, coming from 19 different rowing clubs/schools. When entries are so vast, there runs a high chance of surprising high placings, as there are so many different scullers to consider for the win. This 3000m course will be a fantastic opportunity for the junior girls to compare themselves, for the first time this season, against a number of different clubs. Although GB early ID trials were just a week ago, it will be great to see who can cope when it comes to the remorseless waters of the Thames.
Kingston Rowing Club
Our flag-bearer for the Hampton previews and arguably the favourite for this event is Jessie Martin. A seasoned pot-collector and member of the enormously successful KRC junior women’s squad, Jessie won the WJ161x category a couple of weeks ago, bettering not only her age-group compatriots but all WJ18 athletes bar one. She also won the Weybridge Silver Sculls in October and was victorious at this event, albeit at J15 level, last season. Can she make the step up? Precedent, and form, suggest that she can.
Headington School Oxford
Headington School have 6 entries here with a couple of their girls having produced very similar times of late. Their fastest time (24:10) at Kingston Head came from ‘Sulola’, followed just 3 seconds later by ‘Rossington’ and then ‘Mattocks’ with a time of 24:42. The last of their fleet at Kingston was ‘Holt’– which is surprising considering her 5th place finish at Wallingford with a time of 20:59.
Emanuel School
Their sole entry looks to be in strong form as ‘Mcaulife’ performed well to take 2nd place at Wallingford. With the winner of that event not racing at Hampton, it will be interesting to see whether she can step up to the plate and take the win this time.
Marlow
Marlow have 4 scullers racing in this event- their fastest appears to be ‘Newman’ who finished 5th at Henley LDS in 15 minutes 47 seconds. Looking to be Marlow’s fastest this time around will be ‘Fennell’ who was just 7 seconds slower. ‘Marsh’ competed at Henley LDS with a slightly slower time of 16:37 but we should not overlook their other boat; ‘Brindle’.
Sir William Perkins School
SWPS have 8 girls looking to make an impact on this category come the weekend and it is ’Crosbie’ who seems to be their front runner- after finishing 9th at Henley LDS. It was their ‘O’Donnell’ who followed by just 20 seconds for 11th place and then ‘Darke’ who finished the same event in 17th place.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Out of their 3 girls in this category, it looks to be ‘Brunt’ who will be fastest after she posted a time of 17:37 to place 18th at Henley LDS.
Surbiton High School
A further 6 boats coming out of Surbiton High for this event. ‘Hubbard’ and ‘Lambert’ were a mere 11 seconds apart at Kingston Head so it will be great to see how they race against each other, as well as their teammates; ‘Lintott’, ‘Pollington’, ‘Theobald’, and their second ‘Lambert’ boat.
I suspect that recent focus has been on Pairs and Fours head for many athletes- which could explain the lack of single-sculling data to look at, especially, from the likes of; St Paul’s Girls School, Kingston Grammar School and Lady Eleanor Holles. Yet, these girls and other entrants, who are yet to race in the single this year, could still impress.
Prediction:
- Kingston Rowing Club – Martin
- Emanuel School- Mcaulife
- Headington School Oxford- Sulola
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