The Hampton Small Boats Head this Saturday offers a thrilling 3km stretch of racing along the Thames, challenging crews with its combination of strong currents and winding course. With a large field of 21 entries in the Women’s Junior 17 Double Sculls (WJ17 2x) category, this promises to be a highly competitive event. Recent floods have added an extra layer of complexity, with strong flows and gusty winds potentially complicating steering. However, with its shorter course compared to other head races, Hampton allows athletes to showcase both their endurance and sprinting capabilities.
Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club
Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club have a formidable pedigree and a history of delivering strong results across multiple categories. At the Kingston Small Boats Head earlier this month, they placed ninth in the Women’s Junior 18 double, a remarkable achievement given the older competition in a challenging 5.2km race. Their success extends beyond head races; last season, their Junior 16 double claimed silver at the National Schools’ Regatta and bronze at the Junior Sculling Regatta, both over 2km courses. Sir William Perkins’s also boast an impressive performance pipeline, with three athletes recently competing at Under-19 GB trials, placing second and achieving other notable finishes. While these trialists won’t be racing in this category, their presence highlights the depth and quality of SWPS’s programme. On the 3km Hampton course, expect SWPS to be a top contender, blending technical skill with raw power.
Kingston Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club are bringing three entries to this event, underscoring their strength in depth. At the Kingston Small Boats Head, their Women’s Junior 18 double finished just nine seconds behind the aforementioned Perkins’s girls over the 5.2km distance. The tighter margins of a shorter course like Hampton will test their ability to sharpen their start and push through middle phases of the race. With multiple entries in the mix, Kingston are well-placed to challenge for the podium and could cause an upset with the right performance on the day.
Peterborough City Rowing Club
Peterborough City Rowing Club have entered two crews in this category, both with solid recent form. At the Nottingham Autumn Head in October, they secured a commendable third place over 3.7km, finishing just a minute shy of gold. This suggests they have the strength and endurance to perform well over a course of similar length at Hampton. While their ability to adapt to Hampton’s technical demands remains to be seen, they are a club to watch closely in this competitive field.
Norwich School Boat Club
Norwich School Boat Club have been making waves this season with standout results at head races. They claimed victory at the Agecroft Head over 3.2km and a respectable fifth at the Star Club Head over a shorter 2km distance. With proven success over comparable lengths, Norwich’s entry will undoubtedly be eyeing a top-three finish. Their ability to navigate the Tideway’s complexities could be the deciding factor in their performance.
Claires Court School Boat Club
Claires Court School Boat Club bring a wealth of experience and depth to the table, highlighted by their large squad presence at the National Schools’ Regatta earlier this year. Their double’s fifth-place finish in the B-final of the Women’s Junior 16 double category shows solid technical grounding, and the club’s training camps at Hazewinkel demonstrate a commitment to development. Though their results at summer regattas were not podium-topping, their preparation and team ethos could push them into contention.
Prediction
With such a competitive field, it’s difficult to call, but Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club looks poised for victory, leveraging its proven results and consistent performances. Kingston Rowing Club’s strong entries could secure a second-place finish, while Norwich School Boat Club’s recent form positions them well to round out the podium.
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