Another new kid on the block, the Wargrave Challenge Cup is for club-level eights and a welcome addition to the now 26-strong Henley Royal Regatta roster. 15 entries, whittled down to 12 through qualifying, leaves us with an interesting tree of potential match-ups.
Cantabrigian Rowing Club
This pick could have gone to either Cantabs or London but the momentum behind this boat was slightly more compelling. This crew were losing finalists in the Aspirational Eight at Henley Women’s Regatta (losing out to TSS) but the program they have built – under the strady guidance of Head Coach Tom Copeland – is the envy of most clubs in the UK. It will be great to see them competing on the Henley stretch where they rightfully belong.
Leander Club
Although this crew is classed as the ‘bottom’ boat from the women’s squad at Leander, they’ve accuulated some good results in open competition this summer. Five of them finished second in Open Eights at the Metropolitan Regatta on the Saturday and actually won the event ahead of Brookes on the Sunday albeit the latter had weakened their crew. Crucially, Leander edged out Thames in this race.
Thames Rowing Club ‘A’
Third in Open Eights at the Metropolitan Regatta (behind Oxford Brookes and Leander), Thames have incredible depth in their women’s squad (three eights entered into the Wargrave with two pre-qualifying). Their top crew has performed well throughout the season, featuring prominently at Marlow, Met and Henley Women’s Regatta. They might not have enough to win but will be hoping for a good run.
Tideway Scullers School
Another example of the incredible squad TSS have had at their disposal in 2021. They’ve boated two eights and the top-ranked crew are full of former HWR winners and internationally competitive athletes. Members of this crew won Aspirational Club Eights at Henley Women’s Regatta and also featured in the two TSS crews who finished third and fourth in Women’s Championship Eights at Marlow Regatta.
Prediction
I’m plumping for a Leander-TSS final. The winner there is more tricky to call – my head says Leander but my heart wants to go with the romance of TSS.
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