As one of the Henley Open Events, which also includes Henley Sculls, Henley Fours and Eights Head is another vital head race which allows rival junior crews to compete with one another on familiar waters. With only a little entry this year, due to it being Hampton Head last weekend, we see only 2 crews racing in J18 8s and 6 crews in the women’s equivalent.
J18 8+
Shiplake College – Fitzgerald
With an outstanding 2nd and 4th place at Quintin Head, with their 2 8s earlier in the year, Shiplake has massive potential of getting a fast time down the course. We don’t know if it’s a 1st, 2nd or 3rd 8 from Shiplake that’s been entered but I’m sure that they will dominate this event.
Canford School – Shepherd
Canford School, a lesser known school in the junior rowing world but still have bags of pedigree. With the director of rowing at Canford being a former Cambridge assistant coach, I feel that they will put up a good fight against the likes of Shiplake.
Prediction:
With it being we don’t know the level of the Shiplake crew it is hard to make a good judgement who will come out on top. So, with looking at the pedigree of both schools this is what I will expect to see this weekend.
1st – Shiplake College
2nd – Canford School
WJ18 8+
Henley Rowing Club – Fitzgerald
Here we have Henley, the most outstanding club in the whole of junior women’s rowing. This includes many wins at National schools and Henley women’s. This weekend they row on their home stretch to prove themselves after the shock of last weekends loss at Hampton to Wimbledon, Emanuel and Tideway Scullers School.
Surbiton High School
Surbiton, with an outstanding season last year, they come out in force once again. This includes reaching the final of Henley Royal and their top class winning J16 crew at the National Schools. When working through the ranks, this maybe could make a really fast 8 this season. Recently moving in and out the Quads in the early part of the season Surbiton will be looking to chip away at the likes of Henley and Shiplake this weekend.
Shiplake College – Oakes + Young
An outstanding entry from Shiplake College, coming into this event with an amazing 16 athletes compared to the 8 athletes they had last season. Last season seen Shiplake qualify 2 Quads for Henley Royal, with eventually one of the crews winning the Diamond Jubilee. This season we may see something completely different, with the expertise of Dan Safdari recruiting and developing these young athletes to get Shiplake back on the Junior women’s rowing map.
Prediction:
This weekend will give an early representation on how things will pan out this season. With an amazing line up I’m sure it will come down to the wire.
1st – Surbiton High School
2nd – Shiplake College – Oakes
3rd – Henley Rowing Club – Fitzgerald
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