Henley Long Distance Sculls is a blessing for many crews with a hint of deja vu from the summer. The course will be very familiar to most as they enter their senior year and may have raced on the stretch before in the summer. Although having to slightly adhere to the initial sharp bend, the 3k course will be a great and comfortable course to row down on. This year we have a wealth of competition within the J18 quads category, with multiple reputable clubs and schools entering.
Henley RC
Undeniably, these girls will have an advantage from the course being a familiar training stretch and their apt knowledge of the markers and pacing which can ultimately serve as a large factor. To add to this, Henley did exceptionally well last year at National Schools Regatta with their J16 8+ winning the overall category, where a few athletes are embedded in the two quads entered, suggesting that they have the speed and high-quality standard to become successful this Saturday. I have no doubt that they will be claiming a few of the top spots.
Tideway Scullers School
Another prestigious rowing establishment that is well known for doing well within the early seasons of heads and long-distance stretches. No information can be given of the members entered within the crew, however, I predict with the club’s extensive training on the Tideway and their reputable successes in past competitions throughout the years, they will be competing with the top crews to place highly.
Headington School
Having had a surge of improvement and recognition throughout the years, the new senior squad will have a lot to follow and look up to following the past 1st Eight and their massive success at Henley Royal. Many members of the two quads entered already have done exceptionally well at NSR last year. I’m assuming this year the 1st Eight will be their prioritised boat, however, dabbling into sculling will provide a strong starting point for the year to come.
Other schools competing include Bedford Girls School, Wycliffe Junior, Shiplake Vikings, Stratford Upon Avon BC and Wycliffe Junior RC, all of whom I wish good luck! I think that there will be an array of close times between the top 4 spots, resulting in a battle between Henley RC, Headington and Tideway Scullers.
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