Henley Women’s Regatta is right around the corner and it is an opportunity for crews to show their development from National Schools’ Regatta or to race in preparation for Henley Royal Regatta.
This race is 1500m over the beginning of the Henley Royal course and so these short, quick races will see to some exciting racing as competitive crews will be put side by side in a knock-out style competition. Like all of the events, the J2x will be very competitive with just over 30 crews entered. We expect to see the likes of Sir William Perkin’s School, Maidenhead Rowing Club, Headington School and Henley Rowing Club to be competing for the top places.
Sir William Perkin’s School
This club in particular has developed some good scullers of the past years. For example, the J16 double from last year won the national championships and came in 2nd place at the trials for the GB v France match. These girls have now joined the J17 squad to make a strong contribution. A couple of weeks ago at National Schools’ Regatta, Sir William Perkin’s School raced in Ch G 2x to finish in 6th place in the A final. The bow girl (E. Keen) is competing again at Henley Women’s with a new stroke (E. Ayoade) so it will be interesting to see whether this made some improvements.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
This exact crew was raced at National Schools’ Regatta this year in the Ch G 2x category to a 4th place in a very competitive category. Therefore, Isobel Sellers in the bow seat and Alexandra Hollis in the stroke seat have plenty of experience racing together and so have become accustomed to a clear, strong race plan. This racing experience will be essential in staying calming in the stressful, one-on-one racing style at Henley Women’s Regatta and so we expect to see some strong racing from this crew.
Headington School
This club has had some strong successes in the sculling categories in the past, especially in the doubles and coxless quads categories. For example, last year a J16 double from Headington School was sent to the GB v France match. The bow girl of that double (Z. Klico) is racing a double again this year and so will have a lot of experience in doubles and so will be confident in steering the course through the booms. In addition, these two girls (Z. Klico and A. Milne) formed the middle pair in the WJ16 4x- at National Schools Regatta in 2018 that finished in 3rd place in a very tight race. These girls have lots of experience racing together and so will be a strong competitor in this category.
Henley Rowing Club
This particular club has had some growing success over the past few years. For example, on the sculling side of their racing, they won the Ch g 4x- at National Schools’ Regatta this year in a very close, exciting race. It will be interesting to see whether the power seen in many of the bigger Henley boats can be transferred into the double.
This category will be very competitive and we expect to see some close side-by-side races with the likes of the above crews competing for the top spaces but the results will be down to their race plans and steering on the day.
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