The event was cancelled after this preview was completed.
As an integral event for many clubs on the southern racing calendar, Henley Fours and Eights Head returns to offer us a glimpse at what the season has in store for many of the biggest and best, as well as up-and-coming, clubs in the Greater London area. The 3km race provides one of the earliest stages of the year for clubs to set themselves up as ones to watch in the fast-approaching regatta season.
Westminster School Boat Club
Westminster School Boat Club enters two fours in this year’s senior men’s coxed fours. The club is no stranger to high-level success. It has a string of accomplishments, ranging from over 20 National Schools’ Regatta medals in the last decade to being a two-time Henley Royal Regatta winner. The crew under the name of Taylor stands out this time and seeks to make its mark at this critical entry point to regatta season. The abilities of this Westminster crew are in no doubt; the school has overseen tremendous successes in sweep rowing in recent years, including reaching the semifinal of the famous Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 2021 and the final of the same Trophy in 2015. If this winning formula has been maintained by the excellent coaching team at Westminster School Boat Club, then this crew will have a chance in Henley at the weekend.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
The Upper Thames Rowing Club crew for this year’s senior coxed four race is headed by Powell. This crew, made up largely of the successful Upper Thames crew in The Thames Challenge Cup of Henley Royal Regatta 2024, will be hoping for a strong performance to place themselves in good standing for regatta season. Upper Thames’ stellar performance program has produced some of Britain’s most skilled rowers, and the club is certainly no stranger to success at the highest levels, especially in sweep, with the club winning both The Wyfold Challenge Cup and The Britannia Challenge Cup at the same Henley Royal Regatta as recent as 2014. Since this crew will also be racing on their home water, it is safe to say they have a strong chance of taking a win this weekend.
Marlow Rowing Club
The famous club based just outside the M25 is well acquainted with the famous Henley course and will be looking forward to being one of the top contenders this weekend. Marlow Rowing Club‘s first entry, led by Berry, brings their exemplary standards of strength, technique, and speed to this competitive head race. The club’s second entry, this time led by Murphy will be yet another display of finesse and strength this weekend. The four, which features some of Marlow’s most dedicated and reliable rowers and some past National Schools’ Regatta champions, will seek to transform their obvious success in sculling to the single-oar challenge this weekend.
Radley College Boat Club
Radley College Boat Club is one of the most renowned clubs in UK schoolboy rowing, and they will be competing at Henley Fours and Eights Head this weekend. As Radley will soon be kicking off their regatta season endeavour, this crew will be looking to position themselves well for the remainder of the season, and if history is anything to go off of, they will definitely perform come the weekend.
Thames Scullers
The crew from Thames Scullers approach Henley Fours and Eights Head this year, hopeful to finish their head season strong. The Thames Scullers have been working hard in recent years to propel their club forward, expanding their already large junior squad and upping the performance side of their training to ensure that their rowers can perform at the top of their game. As a result, the squad will be prepared to take on this challenging category on the Henley waters.
Predictions
In a strong category like this, picking a favourite for the win is challenging. If pushed to choose, I would say the win will most likely go to Westminster School Boat Club—Taylor or Upper Thames Rowing Club. This will surely be a great race and worth watching as we prepare for regatta season.
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