In this high stake event taking place on Saturday 5th November, crews will be fighting tooth and nail to win the top spot in their category. The mammoth number of entrants, with many highly regarded crews, entered, rowing on this prestigious 3km course stretching from the bottom of Greenlands to the Royal Regatta finish along the Thames. This is a sculler’s only head race so technical accuracy, alongside great power, will be what drives crews to be granted the ultimate accolade.
Henley Rowing Club
This exceptional rowing club which has been providing representation on the Junior International platform every year since 1992. This clearly demonstrates how apt Henley is at following a rigorous training programme that brings out the best in all its crews including 8 wins at this event in 2021. Chloe Hughes who raced and won the j14 4x+ category last year will be competing to win alongside the rest of her crew. Henley Rowing Club is also entering two other quads that undeniably also have an incredible chance of placing. With their daunting race tactics and competitive spirit, I have high expectations for this club.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Entering one boat into this category, this is a club that is built on providing experience and enjoyment through the inclusivity and broad nature of the club. They’ve not had a large presence in national races, but this will be good practice for their junior rowers to gain experience racing against top competition.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Already showing strong performances this year across the rowing circuit including Wallingford long-distance sculls, Headington School Oxford Boat Club is entering a grand total of four quads into this race. With their boats proportionally dominating the start line as well as the club’s robust and rigorous attitude to training, gives them a strong chance of getting top three.
Hinksey Sculling School
Training on the same stretch as this weekend’s competition Headington, Hinksey is a club that focuses on developing the potential of its junior athletes. Hinksey Sculling School has two boats entered, who will hope to build a positive platform from this race.
Great Marlow School Boat Club
Triumphing at a national level over the last couple of years, Great Marlow School Boat Club is entering just one boat into this category. Their dedicated coaching team will have worked hard, and the club will be aiming to be pushing for the top of the field.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Described as a ‘dynamic, successful rowing club’, their modest yet no less notable talent has given them a very respectable successful rate in races across the country. Two quads will be representing Wallingford Rowing Club’s team on Saturday. With other members of the club winning events earlier on in the Autumn, they will have high expectations for placing.
Windsor Girls School Boat Club
This club has been putting the hours in over the last couple of months and with three entries they are looking at a really strong possibility of winning. Often overshadowed by their male counterparts, this club regularly does not get the recognition they deserve for their strong racing and formidable tactics. Hopefully, this will be a race where they can prove their worth and make their indisputable mark.
Others entered into this weekend’s race:
Barn Elms Rowing Club, Bewl Bridge Rowing Club, Abingdon Rowing Club, and American School In London Boat Club, all with a respectable one entry each.
My predictions:
This is a diverse and highly competitive field so I believe this will be a very interesting race. I predict the positions to be the following:
1st- Henley Boat Club
2nd- Headington school Oxford Boat Club
3rd- Windsor Girls School Boat Club
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