Update: Since this preview has been written, Hampton Small Boats Head has been cancelled.
The handsome bends of Walton-on-Thames (and, hopefully, warmer weather) will greet the 19 open Junior 16 doubles on Saturday morning, and there is one question on everybody’s mind – who is the new top dog? Plenty of fresh crews and clubs in the entry means exhilarating racing – let’s meet the picks of the litter.
Molesey Boat Club
Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that the club that graced the top of last year’s time sheets is in the mix. Molesey extracts results at every time of asking, and as their junior programme goes from strength to strength, they could pull a fast one on higher-seeded crews. A home advantage is priceless, with complex currents and tight turns making these 3000 metres fearsome. It is, then, no wonder that a club that trains this stretch regularly stands a good chance of success, especially one with Molesey’s training regimen. As one of the first real markers this crew can lay down, the pressure is undoubtedly on – and despite club pedigree, these athletes are yet to perform highly on the national stage. Molesey’s lack of attendance at BRJC could explain the lower seeding. The dark horse of the category, will Molesey dust off their previous winning ways?
Walton Rowing Club
In the past, Walton has seen respectable results here, often finishing around the top third of entrants. It’s their juniors who have struggled in longer heads before – they have a point to prove coming into the competition, wanting to show us the work they’ve put into winning over long distances. With both crews seeded higher than last year’s result, clearly, the organisers see potential in this crew – in one of the first significant events of the year, will the two boats from Walton put in a titanic effort?
Lea Rowing Club
If you want a surefire top result, look no further than Lea RC. Even with Lea’s funding and resources, their boys bring extra. With 50% of the crew, Guetin, reaching the A-final in his sculling at BRJC this July gone, the crew has serious raw speed, and Lea’s challenging local river is a good match for the course – although a lack of experience here could hurt, everyone is in the same (metaphorical) boat. Despite a points deficit to Wallingford, prior results say Lea is the cream of the crop. A crew with a powerful lineup, steering expertise and a clear goal, seeded second – if I were a Lea RC supporter, I’d be betting on a medal.
Wallingford Rowing Club
With five crews entered and one seeded first, Wallingford have raised their game. The inevitable missing experience in this category will hurt the rowers, but with such a strong program behind them, they ought not to worry. Having achieved middling results at BRJC, here is a crew that’s put some serious effort into earning a first-place seeding. Not only that, four other crews across both divisions indicate a deep, well-coached programme. The club has already seen strong performances in junior doubles this season, and with the combination of world-class facilities and 20km of river to train on, one imagines the power behind these crews will be mighty. Very much in it to win it, here is a club that you can’t count out – for any boat.
Mossbourne Rowing Academy
Like Molesey, it’s hard to know what to expect from Mossbourne. What they lack in resources, they make up for with a fearsome work ethic, known for impressive performances at the Indoor Championships. On the national stage, they may lack some of the success other crews have shown, and yet Mossbourne can dominate local events. This crew includes former sculler Robinson, whose dominance at regattas like Thames Valley Park shouldn’t go unnoticed. The high seeding this crew has received is a testament to their skill, but will they prevail against the more prominent clubs?
Predictions
An even field full of unknowns, this race is anyone’s game. However, it seems likely that Wallingford-Strange or experienced Lea-Guetin will be going home heroes. Don’t count out anyone in such a tightly-packed field, though – this is truly anyone’s game.
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