With Fours Head unfortunately cancelled, our attention turns away from the Tideway, and to the famous Henley stretch of the Thames. While later in the season the 2112m Royal Regatta stretch is the one on every athlete’s mind, Henley Long Distance Sculls are held over a longer 3000m course. With 10 entries, and some schools entering multiple boats, there will be a real competitive spirit.
Royal Grammer School High Wycombe Boat Club
RGS Wycombe can boast of being the only club or school competing at Henley LDS that qualified for the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta last year. This extra experience not only shows the calibre of their athletes but means they have experience down this particular course. For the footsteerers among the crew, this will settle them when competing against others. With multiple crews entered there are bound to be returning faces from previous years who have competed at several regattas and head races.
American School in London Boat Club
The American School in London have competed consistently and regularly at several different races. One thing that gives them a boost is the fact that they train on the Thames, so may be well-equipped to deal with any tricky conditions. Despite seeming to be one of those clubs that shows up at races for the spirit rather than a real desire for results, their regular presence around the junior circuit is a testament to their love for the sport. Maybe a slightly smaller race could be the opportunity for taking the win.
Magdalen College School BC
Yet another school that have entered multiple crews into this event, Magdalen College School will be looking to go toe-to-toe with the other crews. It is fair to judge them as fairly equal to the other entries, and they also train on the Thames, albeit significantly further upstream. They will also believe that they have a decent shot at overall victory.
Predictions
One thing to consider is that after some storms recently the Thames will probably be flowing considerably faster than normal. This is bound to throw up some sort of complications for the rowers. However, the standard of junior sculling is high enough that nobody need be worried. RGS High Wycombe have the edge on experience, which means that they are favourites to win. As for second place, it is very difficult to predict as they are so matched, but Magdalen College School are going to push American School in London into third place.
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