Henley Long Distance Sculls is the first opportunity for crews to race down the Henley stretch this year. At 3000m, this is one of the shorter head race courses, but, from personal experience, it is still challenging because it is upstream.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club surely have a huge advantage as they train on the course (albeit with a different circulation pattern). They have entered three doubles into the WJ18 category: Schoenmakers, Stockdale and Wild. Wild has already had success in a double this year, placing first at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls. Schoenmakers and Stockdale were both in Henley’s eight that go through to the semi-final at Henley Women’s Regatta. Henley are always strong, and will certainly be in contention for the victory this weekend.
Wycliffe Rowing Club: Wycliffe College Boat Club and Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club
After coming a surprise fourth at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta, Wycliffe College Boat Club have had some great results this season already, coming first, second, third and fourth in the WJ17 1x and first, second and third in the WJ18 1x at Scullers’ Head and some similarly dominant results at Nottingham Autumn Head. They have entered two doubles: Fullman and Fielder. Fullman is certainly a very strong sculler, with wins in the two events mentioned previously and she also won the WJ16 1x at the 2021 British Rowing Junior Championships. Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club, which also comes under the Wycliffe Rowing Club umbrella have entered three doubles of their own. It will be interesting to see how these doubles will do compared to Wycliffe College. I think they may cause some upsets this weekend. Wycliffe have already shown that they are fast they are this season and it will be interesting to see how they go against Henley this weekend.
Other Entries
Other entries include King’s School Worcester, who have entered one double into the WJ18 category this year under the name Clarke. Clarke was in their eight that placed sixth at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta. It will be interesting to see if they can translate this into sculling boats. Also, Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club may cause an upset or two this weekend. They placed fifth in a pretty tight field at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls.
Prediction
This one is very difficult to call. Henley have a great sculling reputation, but Wycliffe are certainly on the up. I think it is going to be very tight this weekend, but I think one of the Wycliffe doubles might just have the edge.
Steady Steight
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