Having only a week between Fours Head and Henley Long Distance Sculls, two popular events, doesn’t give competitors of both much time to recover so they would prepare and train accordingly. However, with the Fours Head cancelled due to extreme weather and river conditions, it will be interesting to see how this affects results. Henley Long Distance Sculls is raced over 3000m, with the course ending at the infamous Henley Royal Regatta finish.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Having entered eight scullers into this event, seven of which are in Band 1, Wallingford Rowing Club is in a good position for a top spot. Despite being a WJ17 in a WJ18 category, Collins is fourth in the draw, and the first of the Wallingford RC scullers to take on the course. Similarly, most of these scullers were rather high in the start order of the WSch/Jun 4x- for the Fours Head. It may well be worth trusting the draw for this one, and I would not be surprised if a sculler from Wallingford RC secured a top spot.
Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association
Following Collins down the course will be Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association’s Besley. After coming seventh at Scullers’ Head in her category– the first six positions taken up by Wycliffe College Boat Club – Besley will be aiming to place higher this weekend, especially with there being no entries from Wycliffe in this category.
Reading Blue Coat School Boat Club
As one of the few clubs with only one entry in this category, Johnson of Reading Blue Coat School Boat Club will be determined to do well. After placing second at the Reading Small Boats Head, this competitor will be practiced in a single and looking too to place in the top spots of the finishing order.
Other entries
Hodgson, from Royal Grammar School Worcester Boat Club, will be the first to take on the course this weekend. For events at this end of the season, it’s worth paying attention to the start order so it wouldn’t be surprising if she places highly on Saturday. From Claires Court School Boat Club – both Donn and Rance will be wanting to make up for the lack of Fours Head, having been placed in the middle of the draw. This race will test how well they can transfer their skills from a crew boat into a single.
Predictions
1. Wallingford Rowing Club – Collins (216)
2. Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association – Besley (217)
3. Reading Blue Coat School Boat Club – Johnson (221)
It seems like it might be a tough race between Colllins and Besley, fighting it out right from the start. Collins has the advantage of starting ahead of Besley, which means she [Collins] can pace off her [Besley] if needed. However in a three kilometre singles’ race the split between the factors related to rowing, and everything else that goes on, might be so high as 50/50. With the strong stream as a remenant of the recent heavy flooding, this race might be even more mentally tough for the lone wolf than normal. A LDS singles’ race is a test of the mind as well as a test of the body, may the best woman win.
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