Returning after last year’s event was cancelled, Henley Long Distance Sculls is the next big head race to watch this weekend. With 25 entries in the WJ16 doubles category, including many smaller clubs, it will be interesting to see how the start of the season unfolds.
Henley Rowing Club
In recent years, Henley Rowing Club has continuously been building upon their success, with this year’s WJ16 squad being no different. Their crew last year took silver in the WJ15 eights, showing their strength in this increasingly difficult event. After securing a win earlier on in the season at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls in a quad, the Henley girls will be looking to translate this win into smaller boats. Henley also have 5 doubles entered, which further shows the depth of this squad. Given that they are also racing on their home water, these crews will be difficult to beat.
Avon County Rowing Club
Setting off straight after Henley Rowing Club is Avon County Rowing Club. After starting their season off with a respectable sixth at the Pairs Head in the same category, Avon County will be looking to improve on this result and aim for a podium finish, though the conditions lately may have put strain on their training.
Maidenhead Rowing Club and Guildford Rowing Club both competed in this category recently at Reading Small Boats Head, coming second and third respectively. Maidenhead’s silver place was notably close, coming in only two seconds behind Emanuel School: with them absent from this category, Maidenhead may be a club to watch.
Other clubs racing include Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club; City of Bristol Rowing Club; Bewl Bridge Rowing Club; and Lymington Amateur Rowing Club.
Prediction
Due to their experience and knowledge of this course, I think Henley Rowing Club will take first place, with it being a close call between the rest of the pack (with perhaps Maidenhead and Guildford posing a challenge) and the remaining Henley Rowing Club crews.
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