It is an often underappreciated fact the differentiation required to successfully row a coxed four as opposed to a coxless four. The latter are lighter, sharper, all snarls and sprung aggression. The coxed four requires more physiological superiority but also, in a strange way, more finesse to move the shell. Another event that has refused to buckle under the weight of expectancy around perennial dominance (three of the past five winners have come from international entries).
Frankfurter Germania, Germany
A regular at HRR, Frankfurter only really come over when they think they’re in with a chance of winning. They were victorious in the Thames Cup in 2014 and this Britannia entry looks promising. Despite COVID disruption, two crew members featured at the Swiss National Championships in September 2020, winning silver in the Coxed Four and Eight.
Kingston Rowing Club
A club that consistently boat a strong top crew, this Kingston four are looking like genuine contenders for the top prize at Henley Royal Regatta. They were third behind Thames & Cambridge University at the Metropolitan Regatta in Championship Coxed Fours and have dispatched a couple of Britannia clubs in private fixtures. Kingston have lost to the eventual winners of the Thames Cup in the previous two years so will want to go better in 2021.
Marlow Rowing Club
This boat have stacked up really strong results on the domestic scene this season, featuring in Saturday and Sunday ‘A’ finals for Championship Coxed Fours at the Metropolitan Regatta (4th and 7th respectively). They also finished seventh overall in the same category at Marlow Regatta. Marlow aren’t traditionally a force on the club rowing circuit so this crew represent their best chance of a potential Henley medal in a few years.
Molesey Boat Club
Alongside Kingston, Marlow and Thames, this boat have been consistently vying for the title of fastest club coxed four in the UK. They were second in Tier 2 Coxed Fours at Marlow Regatta, recording a time two seconds quicker than Marlow who raced 20 minutes earlier. Serial winners on the Henley stage, and holders of this title, Molesey will know what it takes to put together a successful campaign.
Thames Rowing Club
A juggernaut on the club rowing scene, Thames last won the event in 2018 and are serial victors across the club rowing spectrum at Henley. Although they often prioritise the eight, this crew has plenty of pedigree and features members of the boat that won Championship Coxed Fours at the Metropolitan Regatta.
Prediction
This really is a toss up. I’d love to see Kingston or Marlow feature in the latter rounds and potentially have a one-on-one tilt at the title. I’m going for a Molesey-Thames final though.
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