For these athletes this will most likely be a first taste of racing between the the famous (and infamously unforgiving) booms of the Henley course. Raced from the Regatta start to the Remenham Club, the West End Amateur Rowing Association trophy is an event for J16 Coxed 4s. The timetabling at National Schools’ meant both the 8+ and the 4+ were on the same day, so as a result, the entries here are a mix of established crews and crews that have been made up from 8s after National Schools. As such this mixture should serve up some interesting racing within the 16 boat entry.
Henley RC
A crew that has been drawn from the Henley J16 8+ from National Schools, with the other 4 girls from that crew in the 4x-, I would expect this crew to be one of the front runners in this event. The J16 8+ was one of many gold medal winners from Henley at National Schools’ so as a result I would expect these girls to be strong at this event. Being on home water, the cox of this crew, Freya Reid will have a good understanding of the markers and steering on this course, which could make all the difference.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
A 2 boat entry from LEH, again who have seemed to have split their National Schools’ 8 down the middle and both will be looking to better their crewmates. The 8 was second to Henley at NSR so will definitely be out for revenge over the girls in navy. The cohesion that comes about from spending all season in the 8 could be crucial in what has been a short lead in after National Schools’ so it will be interesting to see how these girls adapt to moving this heavy boat and if they can close the gap, or potentially get one over on the Henley crew.
Kingston RC
A crew that fits into the “established” category, this crew really should be one to watch at this event. This crew is unchanged from that which raced at National Schools’, where, it must be said they were head and shoulders clear of their rivals, winning the time trial by 10 seconds, winning their semi final and then taking the gold with a commanding row in the final. This sets this crew up very well for HWR especially with another block of training after National Schools’. This crew has the form and provided they manage the course and the more tactical style of match racing, could be a serious contender, and potential winner on Sunday.
Lea RC
Another of the more established crews in the draw here, this crew is testament to the ever growing programme at Lea, who are starting to become a feared name on the junior rowing circuit. In terms of form, this crew (albeit with one alteration) won the B final at National Schools’. This crew features one change, and you would expect this would be a change that makes this crew faster. When coupled with the fact this crew is a crew who are perhaps more familiar with the mechanics of this boat than those who have come out of an 8 for example, this Lea crew could really be a dangerous crew this weekend and certainly are one to watch.
Surbiton High School BC
Again, a crew who have been brought together out of a National Schools’ 8, Surbiton are an ever growing name in the world of junior women’s rowing. At National Schools’, the aforementioned Surbiton 8 took a credible 4th place, behind 3 of the best junior women’s programmes in the UK in Henley, LEH and Headington. This crew will then be a solid outfit, who will be looking to prove they can mix it with the big names again, especially on a stage such as Henley Women’s.
Finally I want to mention the sole American entry here, from Rumson-Fair Haven High School. Firstly it is fantastic to see this event attracting overseas crews. Without any results I can’t make an accurate guess on their speed, but American crews don’t tend to come if they don’t feel they have a substantial offering so this crew could be one to keep an eye on.
Prediction
This being one of the events to have a time trial I don’t know how the draw for the earlier rounds will pan out. If I had to suggest a potential final I would say Henley v Kingston, with a narrow Kingston victory, their NSR win in this particular category being the deciding factor. On home water and the phenomenal Henley programme means it could be very close, but I would make Kingston the marginal favourites for the win.
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