The Peabody cup is going to be one of the most competitive junior events in the competition. It is great to see the improvement of junior woman’s sweep after the introduction of JW8s into HRR and so I’m very excited to see the standard of these crews at the weekend. It is a field packed with boats from impressive programs and crews who have already had a successful season. This event will produce some tight and exciting races, especially as it is over 1500 meters.
Henley Rowing Club
First off, we have the 8 from Henley RC who some would say are the strong favourites. Coming off the high of winning Nat schools, quite convincingly, I’m sure they will be aiming for nothing but the win. They have shown their speed quite consistently throughout the year, winning schools head and more recently winning at Wallingford Regatta. I am pretty confident that the crew from Henley RC will be able to at least make it into the final on Sunday.
Surbiton High School
Surbiton HS has also had a successful season so far this year and seem to be nipping at Henley RC’s heels. They came 2nd at National schools, 5 seconds off the gold medalists. However, an 8 can easily find 5 seconds within the few weeks between National schools regatta and Henley woman’s, with a possible victory in sight I’m sure they have been working hard enough to possibly close the gap.
Headington
The crew from Headington School is definitely one to watch. Only last year they won both Woman’s Henley and HRR in this event. A consistently strong program of girls, they started the year strong, being only a second off Henley at Schools Head of the River. However, having some struggles with a few injuries in the team meant they chose to focus on the quad at National schools, coming a solid and close 5th. Entering an 8 into Henley woman’s means their coach is confident that they have regained full strength and I believe the 8 will be a force to be reckoned with.
Notable Mentions
Other 8s who will be in good form but not quite reaching the final, in my opinion, are Hinksey School and St Edwards. They have been neck to neck the whole season battling for the medals with only a second separating them at both National schools and Wallingford Regatta.
Final Predictions
One of the very special and hard things about Woman’s Henley is that there is only one winner, this means it is all or nothing. Despite Headington’s bumps in their season, it was so close between them and Henley at Schools Head that I believe it will be these two in the final, possibly with Henley taking the win, their experience in the 8 this year just helping them get the edge. Of course, Surbiton could easily disrupt this prediction, so it will be exciting to watch.
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