Whilst GB Trials is underway in Boston on Saturday, bigger boats will be racing at Henley Fours and Eights Head. The three kilometre stretch will hopefully produce some close and exciting head racing.
Oxford Brookes University BC
Oxford Brookes will be at the event in force, with three boats entered in the women’s eight events. Any athlete not at GB trials will be competing and it is likely we could see them go top two on the podium. After their top boat put in a dominant performance in their fixture against Cambridge women in January, Brookes will look to continue building on this form and show their strength in depth in the second and third boats. Last year they beat Leander by 17 seconds, with their second boat another 16 seconds behind; they will aim to be as dominant in the 2023 edition.
Upper Thames RC
Upper Thames have had an influx of new athletes this year, strengthening their women’s squad. On home water they will aim to take advantage of knowing the racing line. Two weeks ago at Quintin Head their top boat won the Women’s Intermediate 1 category which will be a good confidence boost ahead of this weekend and beyond.
Henley RC
Also on home water Henley will aim to put in a strong performance. They comfortably won the Band 1 Eights at Upper Thames Autumn Head and were almost thirty seconds ahead of neighbours Upper Thames. Henley will hope to sustain this gap and get as close to Brookes as they can.
Prediction
We predict a dominant performance from both Brookes boats, placing first and second, with Henley behind in third.
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