Henley Women’s Regatta is one of the highlights of the rowing calendar. It is held over the first 1500 metres of the Henley Royal Regatta course between the infamous booms which unfortunately will likely play a role in the competitive order. The Groton School Challenge Cup is for J18 coxed fours, and with many of the top clubs at the National Schools’ Regatta entered into this event, along with some exciting entries, promising for some tight racing.
St Edward’s School (Teddies)
Teddies comfortably won this event at the 2023 National Schools’ Regatta for the first time in twenty years and have made just one change to their victorious crew. Since COVID, they have just been building and building on their successes and their recent performances have been a demonstration of this. They will likely face stiffer opposition this weekend, but victory is well within their reach.
Glasgow Academy
Glasgow will be looking to retake the title in this event that they won in 2021 and they sure have the crew capable of taking victory. This crew came second in the B-Final in the coxless fours event at the National Schools’ Regatta, and like their previously mentioned opponents, have made one change. However, this change comes in the form of the Championship Girls Single winner, Wood, who is just a J15 – a remarkable talent and one to definitely look out for in the future. In addition, Buter was in the Scottish composite that finished as the runners-up in this event last year. Having the experience of side-by-side racing between the booms could be advantageous for this crew.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford finished fourth in the coxed fours event at the National Schools’ Regatta, sixteen seconds behind Teddies. However, due to the crosswinds and the shorter race distance at HWR, the margin is not likely to be anywhere near as big as this. One of their rowers, Noyes, was selected for the Munich International Regatta back at the beginning of May, and this international experience could prove invaluable in a side-by-side race that often is decided by close margins.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow are the potential dark horses in this event. They didn’t race this event at the National Schools’ Regatta, but always have a habit of putting together speedy crews. Two of their rowers in this event won silver in the pair and another was in the J16 quad that placed fourth a few weekends ago at Dorney. Whilst their speed in the four is relatively unknown, I expect them to be near, if not at, the front of the field.
Other Entries
Other notable entries include Henley, Headington and Shiplake. I normally mention these crews earlier in my previews but these clubs have decided to prioritise other crews. However, because they have so much depth, they could cause an upset or two, but I think it would take a lot for them to win the whole event. In addition, Monkton Combe placed fifth in this event at the National Schools’ Regatta and again have the potential to cause an upset, but I can’t see them overhauling the leaders.
Prediction
This event is particularly challenging to predict with crew changes and clubs deciding to prioritise different events. It will probably come down to Teddies, Glasgow or Marlow, but as to which one, I’m not entirely sure. Teddies would be the safe bet, but Marlow or Glasgow might just sneak up behind them to snatch the victory. All in all, it promises for some close and exciting racing.
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