J16 1x has always a popular category at Henley Long Distance Sculls, and this year proves no different. On a cold Saturday, 34 singles will take to the renowned Henley waters and race against one another. There is an interesting mix of clubs this year, including Claires Court School BC, Bewl Bridge RC, Shanklin Sandown RC, and King’s School Worcester BC. With the head racing season already well underway, there is bound to be intense competition.
Bewl Bridge Rowing Club
Despite only entering two scullers, Bewl Bridge Rowing Club is sure to offer some fast-paced racing. The first of their two scullers, Ribbens, has had a very successful 2023/24 season so far. After placing sixth at Vesta Scullers’ Head against stiff Tideway Scullers School competition, Ribbens also managed to place second at Maidstone Autumn Head. The other BBRC entry, Tyrrell-Clark, is equally accomplished. He won the Open J16 1x category at Maidstone Autumn Head and will look to do the same at Henley LDS. I don’t doubt that both of them will find a place at the top of the leaderboard come Saturday.
Claires Court School Boat Club
Claires Court School BC has strength in numbers going into this weekend, with 14 entries for this category alone. With several recent international-level rowers and two gold medals at World Champs, the bar is sure to be high for these up-and-coming scullers. Despite little racing so far this season, CCSBC had some very impressive performances at the National Schools’ Regatta which will hopefully translate to this season. Their J15 2nd 4x+ of Moore, Parsons, Potter, Beyer and Macmillan (all of whom will be racing on Saturday) managed to place fourth overall. Out of the J15 4x+ that placed 12th, Shaw, Payne, Howlett-Bolton and the cox, Kampanaos, will be racing. With so many crews entering, a strong performance is likely.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
With only three entries to the pool, it is easy to overlook Maidenhead RC. However, they are not to be underestimated. Out of their scullers, both Mylonopoulos and Davies secured a solid sixth place overall at the National Schools’ Regatta in the coxed quad. Davies also won the very competitive J16 1x category at Reading SBH, beating 2nd place by a comfortable nine seconds. Their third rower, Frize, is just as promising, having come second at Reading SBH in the 4x- category alongside Mylonopoulos. Altogether, Maidenhead RC have the potential to win on Saturday.
Predictions
With such a well-matched pool of rowers, it is difficult to say who will emerge victorious. I think that either Davies or Tyrrell-Clark will claim the victory, with others such as Ribbens and Mylonopoulos close behind.
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