It is very pleasing indeed to see the return of the biggest head race in the country, one steeped in history with the winners so often representing some of the finest eights rowing in the world. The Head of the River Race is a highlight of the calendar for most clubs in the UK, serving as the culmination of a tough winter’s training and the only event where every club is pitted against one another whether they are a club, university, junior or even an international standard crew.
For such a prestigious event, it is only fitting that we see entries from overseas, this year from Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
Cork BC, Ireland
First up in the draw it’s Cork BC, who finished in 34th overall at HoRR 2019 and seventh in the overseas category. This year they start 26th between Durham University and Agecroft, neither of whom they have raced recently but who will be good crews to compare themselves to if they wish to cement themselves as a top class club crew. Having won the headship at both Shandon Head of the River and Cork Head of the River by decent margins, this looks to be the top crew to come out of Ireland this year, the question is, however, how they will stack up against the domestic clubs and indeed those from the continent.
U.S.R. Triton, Netherlands
A familiar name to many after the promise they showed at Henley Royal last year, making the semi-final of the Temple Challenge Cup, this Triton crew is without doubt one to watch. Recently, the Heavyweight Freshman crew won the 5000m race at the Heineken Roeivierkamp and fourth overall, and their Heavyweight Elite crew finished in second behind Nereus. Interestingly, they beat Molesey’s top crew who made the trip, and start fifth at HoRR, perhaps an indication of where Triton are capable of competing compared to British crews. Hopefully the crew making the trip for HoRR is a strong one as judging by these results, Triton have the ability to mix it with the best.
Ruderclub Zurich, Switzerland
Perhaps the furthest-travelling crew to HoRR this year, Ruderclub Zurich (RCZ) have this season competed at for the first time at Basel Head where their top men finished 23rd out of 32. With this result it seems unlikely the crew will mix it with the likes of Triton, however the fact they are making the trip at all shows some ambition.
Prediction
It is admittedly pretty tough to research foreign crews from the continent when we don’t see them racing often. With this in mind crews from Germany especially could go under the radar and come out on the day to take the Overseas Pennant although no names on the entry list have stood out as those who have travelled to HoRR in the past or Henley Royal. In addition to this, we know how much the start order comes into play, with those starting further down the order having a slim chance at beating those towards the top.
Based on recent form and reputation I predict that Triton will take the Overseas Pennant this year, depending on the crew they send they could even be hard done by starting so far down the order, as this could ruin their chances of competing with the top domestic crews in other categories.
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