Hampton Small Boats Head falls at the point in the head season where all the crews have a few races under their belt and might begin to recognise the competition around them, which will hopefully lead to some tighter and more competitive racing. Hampton is an excellent course that has some complicated bends so it will be interesting to see who will rise to the challenge.
Emanuel School
Beams started off her season with 2nd place at Wallingford LDS, an excellent early result. Her previous season had not been as successful, but this result shows that they are already improving. Rosenberg also had a similar experience last season, with only a D final result in the Championship Coxless Pairs at National Schools, but based on the improvement of her teammates, I think these doubles will be ones to watch.
Headington
Headington have come out in force for this race by entering 4 crews, all of which look competitive. Van Onselen and Holt raced in the Championship Girls 8s and the WJ16 8 respectively and both got onto the podium at NSR. They clearly have an excellent season behind them, one they will only have built on coming into these races.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow rowing club has a prestigious reputation and is therefore often one of the crews to beat, and these doubles will be no exception. Pyror had a good last season, getting onto the podium at NSR and coming 4th in an A final at National Championships, therefore this is another crew that I predict will have only got stronger and more competitive coming into this head season.
Tideway Scullers School
Tideway is another club with a great reputation, and the double they have entered into this event looks to be upholding this. Bentley was part of the 4th placing Championship quad at NSR and also competed in Henley Women’s Regatta in the double, she clearly has a solid season behind her and significant experience in the double- which will prove valuable in this race.
Predictions
There are a lot of potentially strong crews in this category, with the girls from Walton and Sir William Perkin’s also looking promising. However, I think that the win might go to Marlow or Emanuel, based off their start to the season and previous results.
Sweepingsculler
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