Most probably the highest-profile regatta for these racers, Henley Women’s Regatta is really an opportunity for these competitors to prove their mettle and to place themselves amongst the best of junior rowers. With strong results from equally prestigious junior events such as National Schools’ Regatta amongst the competitors, it is clear that this event is going to provide some highly entertaining and impressive racing. The single scull is always a daunting, yet incredibly rewarding event, and with such strong competition this year, I look forward to seeing the outcome.
Mossbourne Academy – M. Laukyte
In 2010, Mossbourne Academy became an elite rowing academy for sixth form students. The academy aims to identify and develop the skills of those who they believe have ability and help them to reach the highest levels in rowing. Meda Laukyte achieved bronze in the coxless four at 2016 National Schools Regatta and also took bronze in the pair at Junior Sculling Regatta the same year. There are no past results to show her performance in the single scull, but given the very high standards of coaching Laukyte will be receiving it will certainly be exciting to see how she does.
Llandaff RC – A. Broughton
An athlete currently part of the Welsh Rowing Start Centre, Angharad Broughton has been doing very well recently. In 2017, Broughton set a new course record at the Junior Sculling Regatta, winning the A final in the WJ16 2x, and took 2nd place at the 2017 Home International Regatta in the junior women’s 2x – a huge achievement. Most recently, she took gold at this year’s Junior Sculling Regatta in the WJ17 1x. Clearly a talented rower, I think Broughton will most definitely be one to watch in the coming races.
Kings Canterbury – T. Abbott
In 2017, Tilly Abbott attended the junior trials at the GB Assessments in Boston, and in the same year took first place in the single scull at Barnes and Mortlake Regatta. At Gravelines International Regatta, Abbott won both the junior 1x and women’s 1x – a very impressive result! At Ghent, she came 11th, facing very tough competition, and won the D final in the single scull at 2018 National Schools’ Regatta. All in all, Abbott has had a very successful season of racing so far and I expect that this will stand her in very good stead for the coming race.
Chester le Street – E. Larsen
Yet another strong competitor, Eve Larsen came 9th overall at both the Early ID Assesment in November, and at the GB junior trials in Nottingham this year in the 1x. She also won the WJ18 1x at the 2017 Chester le Street Regatta.
Tideway Scullers School – O. Supple
A member of the highly renowned TSS, Orla Supple took fourth place in the W1x B final and the bronze medal in the coxless quad at the 2017 British Rowing Junior Championships. In the same year, she came fourth in the double scull at Junior Sculling Regatta. I look forward to seeing how she does in the coming races.
Headington School – R. Grainger
At the 2016 Evesham RC Junior Head of the River, Rachel Grainger came second in both the WJ18 2x and the WJ18 1x. This was followed by a strong performance at the Armada Cup in Bern, where Grainger came 10th in the WJ17 single scull. At last year’s Henley Women’s Regatta, Grainger was part of the coxed four which got through to the semi finals, and also rowed in the eight which won at the 2017 Wallingford Head. I would imagine that her experience of racing in many different boats will stand her in good stead, though it will certainly be interesting to see how Grainger deals with the pressure of racing in the single scull against such strong competition.
Bedford Modern School – L. Brittain
Bedford Modern School’s programme seems to have been producing some very talented rowers within the junior squad. The majority of Lara Brittain’s successes seem to have occurred within the intimidatingly successful girls’ quad. At this year’s Nottingham Head of the Trent, the quad took fourth pace, followed by another fourth place at the Junior Sculling Regatta in the A final. Earlier in the year, they won the WJ17 4x category at the Cambridge Head to Head. It will be interesting to see how Brittain uses her experience in the quad to perform well at Henley Women’s.
Leicester RC – L. Henry
Lauren Henry has had an absolutely storming season so far, with wins at every regatta she has attended. Starting with a win in the WJ18 1x at this year’s Boston Head, she has followed this up with wins in both the single and double scull at Peterborough Spring Regatta, as well as taking gold in the single scull at Junior Sculling Regatta. In addition to these successes, Henry took a very impressive win in the women’s Band One single scull at Nottingham City Regatta, before taking first place in both the WJ17 single scull and WJ16 double scull the following day. It is safe to say that Henry, who is a GO GOLD athlete, will be providing some very tough competition!
Merchant Taylor’s School – N. Almond
At last year’s Henley Women’s Regatta, Nia Almond got through to the quarter finals in her single scull, a very impressive result given that she had been out of racing for a year due to injury. At the 2017 Chester Regatta she won the women’s elite single scull category, recording the fastest time of the day. Almond came 6th at the 2017 British Junior Championships in the WJ18 single scull event and is currently the record holder for both 2018 for the fastest 100m time on the ergo, having beaten her record set the previous year.
Exeter RC – P. Muir
Phoebe Muir has really begun to shine in the past seasons. Most recently taking home the bronze medal in the Championship Girl’s single scull at this year’s National Schools’ Regatta, Muir has been steadily building her credentials in both the single and double scull. In 2017, Muir received the title of fastest overall girl at National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships and claimed first place in the WJ15 1x at Junior British Rowing Championships, as well as in both the WJ16 and WJ18 1x at Dartmouth Regatta. In addition to this, Muir took gold in the double scull at the 2017 Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. It seems that this year has been very successful for Muir, and I am excited to see how she will do when faced with this competition.
Agecroft RC – G. Dooley
One of the older rowers in this category, Georgina Dooley has been progressing through the GB U23 assessment process, most recently coming in 13th place overall in the W1x time trials this year. Last year at Henley Women’s she placed second overall in the single scull, losing out on first place to Exeter RC. However, she had a very successful season last year, with wins in the single scull at Brit Champs, Nottingham City Regatta, Wallingford Regatta and in the WJ1x category at Scullers Head. Dooley also qualified first in her heat for the final at this year’s National Schools’ Regatta in the CHG1x, though the results state she did not finish the race. With such strong performances behind her, I’m sure that – especially with previous experience in racing so well at Henley Women’s – she will be going for the win this year.
Predictions:
1. Lauren Henry, Leicester RC
2. Georgina Dooley, Agecroft RC
3. Phoebe Muir, Exeter RC
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