Aspirational Quads, The Chairman’s Trophy. Thirty one crews all geared up and ready to race. Of all the crews, two are composites, one overseas from the Netherlands, and twelve are university crews. With such a large number of entries, all crews will complete a time trial with sixteen progressing onto the regatta style heats, eight of these sixteen will be seeded to ensure exciting racing.
Tideway Scullers School
This quad raced at the Metropolitan Regatta on both the Saturday and Sunday where they managed to snag a spot in the B final on both days against strong competition. Last year a Scullers quad managed to qualify for the Princess Grace Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, along with winning this very event, although the crew is different, the determination will be just as strong.
Upper Thames RC
Also competing this year is a quad from Upper Thames RC. Having made it to the final last year at Henley Women’s, they will be keen to settle the score and take home the win. At the Metropolitan Regatta 2022, on Sunday they made the A final, showing decent speed and sharpness in some tricky conditions which will help them on their way through the heats.
Reading University BC
Having entered two quads this year, it highlights the depth of the Reading University squad. After placing in the A final for their first quad at the Metropolitan Regatta, along with a close second place in the intermediate quads at BUCS Regatta 2022.
Edinburgh University BC
Winning the Women’s Intermediate Quads at BUCS Regatta 2022, it’s clear that this quad will fly down the Henley stretch. Also having entered two quads for this event, it again shows the choice coaches at Edinburgh have when selecting crews. Therefore determination and speed will be at the core of this crew.
DSRV Laga, NED
As the second oldest university crew from the Netherlands, these ladies will be taking a long trip to try their hand at Henley Women’s Regatta. This club sees international representations, recently bringing home medals from the World Cup I and also the Windermere Cup in America. Although the athletes in this quad won’t have any Dutch vests, training in the same environment as those that have, will encourage positive attitudes towards winning and laying down everything on the track.
Prediction
With predictions for weather to be hot, I predict the racing to be even hotter this weekend for Henley Women’s Regatta! For the final, Upper Thames RC along with Edinburgh University’s top crew. However, that is not to say that DSRV Laga, Reading University, Tideway Scullers or any other crew don’t stand a chance, it’ll be very close for each and every race.
Best of luck to all!
About The Author
