Always a crowd-pleaser, the Diamonds present a unique opportunity for insurgent scullers to make their name by dethroning the incumbent favourites but simultaneously also allow the old guard to demonstrate their racing experience.
With several current Olympians contesting this event, you can’t afford to blink as they come through Stewards’. You should, however, clear your diary for what promises to be a phenomenal series of races.
D. A. Alizadeh (Cambridge University)
As charismatic for the press as he is talented on the water, Dara is a household name on the domestic – and increasingly International – circuits. Having won the Boat Race as a Cambridge Blue twice (including in 2019 as president), he went on to fly the light blue flag for Cambridge at Met regatta – where he won gold – as well as at BUCS, where he finished third. Most recently, he represented his home country of Bermuda at the Tokyo Games, where he finished sixth in the ‘C’ final.
T. H. Graves (Long Beach Junior Crew, U.S.A.)
A household name in Stewards’, Tom graves competes in 2021 at his fifteenth regatta, having most recently made a splash in 2018, competing alongside Drysdale in the semi-final of the diamonds in 2018. Tom won a silver at the USRowing National Championships in 2019 and will have high hopes for yet another Henley.
S. Martini (Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Canottieri Padova, Italy)
Simone has developed a god-like status in Italy, having qualified the single scull for the Olympics for the first time in over two decades. Though he didn’t race the class in Tokyo, he has nevertheless laid down an intimidating gauntlet on the water, placing 7th at the Holland Beker, 14th at WC3 and 15th at WC2. In my mind, he will be one of the fastest scullers at the regatta.
G. E. Thomas (Agecroft Rowing Club)
One of the many Brits to walk away from Tokyo with an agonising fourth-place finish, Graeme will turn heads in the competitors’ enclosure as one of the most decorated (in FISA terms) athletes at the event. With three World Championship medals to his name, he comes into the Diamonds as the favourite but will be challenged in particular by those looking for his seat at the Paris Games.
M. Goretti (Italy)
Coached by Sophie Souwer, the Dutch B-final winner in the women’s single scull at the Tokyo Games, longtime lightweight Martino enters the Diamonds as something of an unknown, having remained eerily quiet since his appearances in 2019. Yet, with two Olympic Games in the lightweight men’s four under his belt, Martino is certainly no stranger to intense competition. Since he burst onto the junior scene in 2003 in the lightweight single, he has collected a gold medal at a World Championships for every stage of his career, junior through Under23 to Senior. Though not the favourite, any sculler should be wary of coming up against this Italian.
H. McAdam (U.S.A.)
Despite having rowed since 2004, this is Hugh’s first appearance at the Royal, but shouldn’t be underestimated, having stolen a pre-qualified spot off the back of an impressive set of performances at home. Having represented the U.S.A. in the lightweight quads at both the 2015 and 2018 World Championships, and with no less than five Head of the Charles victories in the light single under his belt, this sculler is one to watch.
A. Keijser (N.E.D.)
Though unlikely to bother the top names in this event, Amos has an impressive track record that is worth mentioning. He won the B-final of the men’s four for the Netherlands at the second world cup this year but more crucially has sculling experience in the form of a B-final victory at the 2020 European Championships. Whether this will be enough to topple the giants, however, is yet to be seen.
Conclusions & Predictions
The Diamonds always throws up a surprise, and I doubt this year will be any different. Graeme Thomas will be the home favourite for a victory here, but ambitious Under23s could spell disaster for him. On the more traditional front, Simone Martini could throw a curveball, as could Dara, though both my Head and heart tell me that our almost Tokyo medalist will come through.
