Reviews
Saugatuck RC, USA v Shiplake College
Looking fierce off the start, Shiplake sprang out into a lead of half a length at the End of the Island. Expecting the challenge to come back from Saugatuck, they continued to pull away, looking comfortable in themselves and drew it out to clear water between them and the Americans. However the expected challenge did not appear and for a while it seemed to be a walk in the park for Shiplake with a clear run down to the line and a spot in the next round, guaranteeing the race was finished. Just after the Enclosures began, Saugatuck chose to strike back. They drew back the length of clear water Shiplake had, turning heads as they came back hotter than ever. Had they not run out of water, would the results have been different? Maybe. But the 2,112 metre course was the perfect distance for Shiplake, who earned their spot to race familiar rivals Radley next round.
Princeton NRA, USA v Abingdon School
It was a cleaner start for the pink blades of Abingdon as they levered through to a quarter length lead in the early stages of this race. Mirroring Princeton’s race from yesterday, the Americans pulled back to hold Abingdon level- removing their gained advantage off the start. From there it was stroke for stroke in each crew, the determination written over the faces of each rower. Then there was a look across from the Princeton cox, who was presumably sick of the pink Abingdon blades, there was a call made to pull away and that they did. A surge came from the white blades and the Princeton bow picked up and pulled a length lead by the half mile marker. They kept this momentum flowing to pull away and drop Abingdon from their stern to break into their clear water and draw it through to cross the line with a two and a quarter length lead.
Hamilton Boys’ High School, NZL v St. Edward’s School
St Edward’s were off like a rocket at the start, flying out to pull a length within the first few strokes of the race. However the triple bucket of Hamilton Boys’ were ready to respond and clawed Teddies back before the End of the Island to draw level and fight it out down the course. Teddies started to edge out, just taking inches out of the New Zealander’s stroke by stroke, edging the boat further along in a majestic row. Hamilton Boys’ held on for as long as possible but ultimately started to lose time towards the Barrier and Mile Marker as the Teddies style and skill left them in their wake. The free speed of the triple bucket rig just wasn’t enough to match the returning champions’ speed and Teddies walked away with the win to grab the last quarter finals place today.
Previews
Shiplake College v Radley College
In what could have well been a Saturday race if not for the draw, two very familiar crews go head to head, having been split seconds apart all season. Being less than a second apart at the National Schools’ Regatta just over a month ago, this race will be very much psychological. Both crews have the speed and technique to grab that semi-final spot, so I have no doubt this race will go down to the wire. Perhaps against the favourites, I believe in Shiplake to take the win – maybe only by a bow ball, but a bow ball is enough. Radley definitely has the majority belief and, having had an easier race today, they’ll definitely pull out all the stops. I will stick with my gut (and my Fantasy Henley) to say that Shiplake will take them on the line.
Eton College v Southport School, AUS
After a somewhat disappointing race from Eton yesterday, they seemed to have magically transformed their rowing overnight to pull a dominant display over Norwich today. Their bladework was clean and the boat was running far more than what was seen yesterday, putting them in a great position for Friday’s race against the tough opposition of Southport School from down under. Southport have been unchallenged so far this week, cruising through each round and looking strong to reach weekend racing but with Eton’s new surge, can they hold it off long enough to claim their ticket to the quarter-finals?
King’s College School, Wimbledon v St Edward’s School
KCS Wimbledon and St Edward’s (Teddies) are familiar rivals. Only 0.4 seconds apart at NSR, this will be a tale of cat and mouse all the way to the line. However, the National Schools’ Regatta also revealed that KCS have a better final sprint than Teddies, which is the make or break over the extra 112 metres of the Henley course. After defeating the New Zealand national champions and bearers of the infamous triple bucket of Hamilton School today, Teddies will be injected with confidence. That said, when chatting to KCS, they stated “we took [Teddies] down at Nats and we’ve been ahead of them most of the year…we’re hoping to continue on that theme.” I predict a neck and neck battle, but perhaps with KCS just being edged out in the last few stages by this year’s incarnation of the reigning champions.
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