The Peabody Cup boasts one of the most prestigious and competitive events at Henley Women’s Regatta. Many junior women up and down the country find themselves reaching the end of their school careers, and now approaching the final few races before transitioning from junior to senior rowing. Covid-19 ensured that for some juniors in this category, it will be their first and last junior race at Henley Women’s, so why not go out with a bang? This year’s draw is full of top names, big programmes and a high level of racing pedigree guarantees us a nail-biting weekend. The time trial will take place on Saturday morning at 9:30am, with the top 16 crews advancing through to the heats in the afternoon and with 17 entries, only one unlucky crew will not be progressing forwards.
Shrewsbury School
At the National Schools’ Regatta, it looks as though Shrewsbury split the eight in half and raced a coxless four and quad. The four came out on top with a bronze medal behind Glasgow Academy and Walton. The quad was a little less successful, finishing second in the B final of an incredibly competitive category. Judging by their recent result at Marlow, when both crews are merged, they produce one very fast eight. The eight placed 2nd at Marlow, beating crews from Surbiton, Latymer and Tideway Scullers. The crew may not have had much racing practice together, but they will definitely be ones to watch as the competition this weekend starts narrowing down towards the final.
Headington School BC
Headington raced well at the recent Metropolitan regatta, winning their time trial ahead of Marlow and Henley. In the merged finals, they placed 4th in the B final (10th overall) amongst some of the most competitive senior championship and junior eights in the country, winning the junior women’s eight category. The Headington squad showed prowess at Marlow Regatta last weekend, finishing first in the A final, 11 seconds ahead of Shrewsbury School. No doubt these girls will be taking confidence from their recent results and will most definitely be front runners going into this weekend; however, we are yet to see a real speed match between Lady Eleanor Holles, Henley and Headington.
Lady Eleanor Holles School BC
LEH dominated the junior women’s eight category at National Schools’ in 2019, and repeated history in 2021 with a win by over six seconds, beating their upcoming opponents: Henley, Latymer and Molesey. Due to their recent success in championship eights, I would assume that they will be planning to enter an eight into Henley Royal and will no doubt be using Henley Women’s regatta as a dress rehearsal in preparation for August. Although they haven’t raced recently at either Met or Marlow, LEH should be considered the top dogs going into the Peabody cup.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley have had some success so far this season; however, are not quite where they used to be. They finished second in the B final at last weekend’s Marlow Regatta, a long way behind the event winners Headington School and Shrewsbury. Henley placed well in the time trial of the Metropolitan Regatta, only 2 seconds off first and 0.8 seconds off second. They went on to win the C final which had been merged with senior women’s eights, beating the likes of several strong university programmes. At National Schools’ Regatta the Henley eight placed a very commendable second, around 6 seconds behind frontrunners LEH. Henley Rowing club are notoriously fierce racers and I have no doubt that they will be firmly in the fight for the top positions.
With British rowing’s recent decision to withdraw from Coupe de Jeunesse and Junior World Championships, it is a given that the competition in domestic summer racing will step up. The addition of the new Junior Women’s Eight at Henley Royal Regatta means that first eights will be a priority for a majority of the programs who can produce them. Henley women’s Regatta is a very competitive weekend of racing and serves as the perfect opportunity to practice for the royal and after all, who wouldn’t want their name to be the first on a brand-new trophy?
My prediction for this year’s Peabody cup is a final between Lady Eleanor Holles and Headington School, with Henley Rowing Club and Shrewsbury School giving them a run for their money along the way.
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