Henley Long Distance Sculls has always had a jam packed J18 1x category. The strength of this year’s field is immense and there are some rivalries that are starting to develop. Last year saw a domination from the Star and Arrow squad, followed by a similar make up to this year. The local rivalry between Star and Arrow and Henley Rowing Club will make for some ferocious racing. These factors should make for a gripping grapple for the top spot over the 3000m course.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club have a cluster of great scullers who have hitherto shown their flair. Issa and Long have been consistently producing meritorious results throughout the start of this season, as have been Swinburn, O’Connor and Turnell. Issa and Long bagged 5th and 6th place in the Wallingford LDS in the J18 1x category. Swinburn and O’Connor earned themselves the 3rd and 5th positions in the J17 1x which was a smaller but still competitive event. I’m sure that their knowledge of this stretch will presage a strong result for them, and because of this, I think that the Henley boys will be one of the strongest outfits in this event, and consequently, Issa and/or Long will take the 3rd or 4th position.
Star and Arrow Club
The Star and Arrow boys have had a subjugating season thus far with great wins for Eilers and the quad. The draw has put Murphy in front of Eilers with Long from Henley in between which is weird due to Eilers’ win at last year’s Henley LDS with Murphy coming 2nd. Murphy looks to come 2nd again to his crewmate after a massively dominating show from the German lightweight, who won at Henley LDS, Reading Small Boats Head and had a gargantuan win by 23 seconds in the Junior 4x- event at Fours Head; alongside Murphy. Leander seem to be coming from strength to strength as the season develops. It would not surprise me if Pikelis places as well as he did last season, with 8th in his category. Willis, Hoeselbarth, Devereux and Milne are all capable of pushing themselves to a top 10 spot.
Latymer Upper School Boat Club
Latymer’s Morgan won the Tier 2 Open Sculls at this year’s Reading SBH which showed that they are a force to be reckoned with. Newton placed 6th, behind 5 of the athletes who will be racing this coming weekend. I think that Morgan will be capable of effectuating a top 10 place. The other Latymer scullers all have the pedigree which is associated with a 4th place at Fours Head in the Champ Quads and thence could probably attain a top placing.
Radley College Boat Club
Radley didn’t perform well in the J18 singles event at Wallingford LDS, with Reynish placing 55th in the category and taking top place in the event for Radley. They placed 3rd in the Champ Coxed Four event at Fours Head which shows that they have the motor within them to compete against the top clubs. Their capabilities obviously lie within sweep, but they should not be written off for this event, evinced by last year’s result; which entailed a two Radley singles in the top 10 of the Band 2 J18 1x.
American School in London Boat Club
The ASL have had a notable result at Wallingford LDS in the form of 2nd place for Wilkin and his partner in the J18 2x. Moran placed 9th out of 21 in the OP 1x at Wallingford LDS. They also placed 6th in the J18 Champ 2x for Pairs Head. This shows that they have no problem with gaining decent positions against tough competitors. This will prove to be a handy quality for this event. ASL didn’t have the best of luck on 2,112 metres of the course over the summer so perhaps the extra 888 metres will aid them to a comparatively better result.
RGS High Wycombe Boat Club
Huntley has proved himself over the past couple of months by winning the J17 1x at Reading SBH, beating Swinburn and O’Connor from Henley RC, both of whom are also in this event. His older crew-mate, Hinves, also placed well, taking a comfortable 4th place in the J18 1x with 3 Star and Arrow boys above him. This should presage a good result for RGS High Wycombe.
Dulwich College Boat Club
Dulwich had an admirable result through Wolff at Reading SBH in the J18 1x, placing 7th out of 20. His crewmates came amidst the Latymer squad and therefore have a chance at replicating this. Wolff seems to be capable of pushing himself through the places and therefore he is one to look out for. However, there are many more entries here compared to Reading, meaning that Wolff might struggle replicate his result in this stronger field.
Others
Other crews include Tritton from The Oratory School who raced at Reading and so will see some familiar faces, KESBC who haven’t had any notable results thus far, RGS Worcester have 5 entries into this event, but they lack notable results but could definitely gain some places from their starting position here. Hughes from Globe came 4th in the B final of the CH 4x at National Schools’ Regatta last year, so has some great sculling experience which will be put to the test on the Thames this weekend. The other clubs include: Radnor House School Rowing Club, Reading Rowing Club, Shoreham Rowing Club, Stratford Upon Avon Boat Club, Ryde School Boat Club and Bedford Rowing Club. It would be great to see these scullers climb up in the rankings and give the aforementioned a run for their money.
Predictions
I predict that Eilers will take this event, his form this season is unreal, having won every event that he has entered. Murphy will then take second place, which would be the top spot on any other year. I then forecast Issa and Long to take the next places, with Huntley nipping in just above Swinburn and O’Connor. Hinves could also find himself amongst them but I am not completely sure. Latymer and Radley will be likely to attain a top 10 placing, as will the ASL, however the rest of the Star and Arrow squad may have something to say about that. The weekend is set up for some great racing.
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