Run over a relatively short course as head races go, this course is a reasonably straightforward to steer incorporating much of the famous regatta course albeit this time without the threat of the booms. The J18 2x category has a really strong entry of 16 crews, many of whom I’m sure will be doubling up with the 4x event in the afternoon division. As such these doubles should provide some close racing.
Henley RC
Home club Henley have two boats entered into the event. The first crew Henley RC-Issa should be a very strong crew. Issa was a part of Henley’s National Schools’ winning J16 4x last year. This crew later went on to gain selection for the GB France match. This double has already raced a number of times this year, winning the Upper Thames Autumn Head and finishing a very respectable 5th in the J18 Champ 2x at the Pairs Head. The second crew, Henley RC-Yolland should also be strong. Yolland was a part of the Henley 2nd J16 4x last year and made the final of J16 1x at Henley Town and Visitors. This crew finished 3rd at last week’s Upper Thames Autumn Head, and will want to upset their clubmates.
Latymer Upper School
Latymer have a three boat entry for this event so have good depth to their squad it seems. The first is entered under the name of Phelps. He was a part of Latymer’s top quad last season which came together for National Schools’ Regatta where they reached the B final. They went on to make the Friday of Henley, loosing out to Leander. However, as will be the case with all the Latymer crews it looks as though this is the first time they have raced this year so their speed will be hard to predict. Saying that, having athletes of this calibre bodes well. The same is true for the second Latymer crew, Latmyer-Morgan. Morgan was also a part of the Latymer top quad as only a J16. To be competing at such a level at that age bodes very well so again his boat should be one to watch. The final crew is Latymer-De Meeus D’Argentieuil. He was a part of Latymer’s J16 coxed four at National Schools’ who finished 5th in their AB semi. Clearly a good sweep rower so it will be interesting to see how the speed translates into a sculling boat.
Marlow RC
Marlow have two crews entered into this event. The first is Marlow-Russell. Russell was a part of Marlow’s J16 B quad that raced at last year’s National Schools’ and took bronze in the second 4x event. This indicates that this crew will have a strong row. Sourcing information on the crew Marlow-Tiwana has been a challenge. However, the club have a strong track record sculling so any crew entered will be a well drilled unit.
Claires Court School BC
Claires Court are one of the standout names on the junior sculling scene and have three crews in this event. Firstly we have CCS-Hill. Hill rowed in a J16 pair in the British Rowing Junior championships in July, and whilst they didn’t make the A final this flexibility may be good for this double. The second Claires Court crew is entered under the name of Fairley with the third under the name of Jonckers. Both of these guys were a part of the Claires Court 8 last year, typically their feeder crew underneath a top quad. This 8 qualified for the final of Tier 5 eights at the met regatta so this suggests that these are competent athletes ready to step up this season. As such, all these crews will look to lay down a marker to their coach Tom Jost.
Globe RC
A single entry from Globe but a strong one. The crew is entered under the name of Kirk who was a member of Globe’s J16 4x last year that took gold at the junior sculling regatta and followed this up with a silver at National Schools’. However Globe have lost a number of strong athletes this year so as a result this crew may not be as fast as we are used to seeing from this club.
Others
Crews from Wallingford, Hereford Cathedral School, Maidenhead, Bryanston and American School in London make up the rest of this event, and whilst these crews will no doubt have a solid row I don’t expect them to trouble the likes of Henley and Latymer at the front of the field.
Predictions
With GB experience on board I think Henley-Issa will be the crew to beat. However their own B crew and Latymer with their Henley experience on board could well trouble them, and Claires Court could also spring a surprise. However I’m going for:
- Henley-Issa
- Latymer- Phelps
- Latymer-Morgan
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