The event was cancelled after this preview was completed.
Each race on the Henley stretch acts as a welcome reminder of this river’s iconic history. With the Women’s Head of the River Race of the River Race on the horizon, both club and student rowers will come together to gain crucial race experience. This Saturday will provide an exciting 3km of racing as we wait to see who will come out on top.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
Upper Thames Rowing Club arguably has a major advantage this weekend, with the race being on its home stretch. Coupled with previous success in the Development Coxed Four at Henley Women’s Regatta in 2024, making it to the final but unfortunately losing out to Edinburgh University. They will indeed be looking to build upon this previous success and cement their place in the coxed fours this weekend.
University of East Anglia Boat Club
Sending two coxed fours to race this weekend, the University of East Anglia Boat Club will be looking for strong results for both crews. Recently, they had coxed fours racing at Cambridge Winter Head, The Isle of Ely Head and Star Club Head. Providing lots of crucial racing experience in this boat class, with their A and B coxed four crews winning their races. They will also specifically be looking to beat Upper Thames after losing to them in the quarterfinal of the Development Coxed Fours at Henley Women’s Regatta last summer.
Putney High School Boat Club
Putney High School Boat Club raced just before Christmas at Teddington Head, fielding two Junior 17 coxed fours and placing both first and second, showing the depth of their current junior squad. This weekend will provide another opportunity to prove their strength against this cohort of club rowers.
Warwick Boat Club
Another strong contender this weekend is Warwick Boat Club. After sending two Development Coxed Four crews and one Club Coxless Four to Henley Women’s Regatta last year, their women’s squad continued momentum into this season, competing at Stourport Small Boats Head and winning the coxed four category. Following this, their women’s eight recently finished fifth at Quintin Head in the Intermediate two event, highlighting the strength and depth of their squad, who will be looking to build upon this as we progress through the season.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions include BTC Southampton Rowing Club, Shoreham Rowing Club, which has two crews entered, and Bideford Amateur Rowing Club, all of which will be looking to put down good times and gain fundamental race experience.
Predictions
Upper Thames Rowing Club is the favourite this weekend, with the University of East Anglia closely behind. However, it would be an error to overlook both Putney High School Boat Club and Warwick Boat Club, who will put in a good fight to get a look in on the top spot, with the underdogs and notable mentions also looking to make a mark on Saturday.
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