Since the decision to combine 1st 8s and Championship 8s across all year groups, clubs have opted to race in fours for a greater chance of success. This category is a classic example, with only two crews entered being what I believe the clubs’ 2nd crew at J16 level. 12 of the 18 crews progress to the semi-finals and AB finals. The emphasis for the racing then falls to the time trial in order to get the best lane for the later races, which is one of the deciding factors when it comes to Dorney Lake.
St George’s College
3rd place at School’s Head in this category, St George’s will have been training alongside the Walton crew of similar speed and will want to beat their local rivals on the weekend.
Pangbourne College
One of the highest raking of the crews entered in this category at Schools’ Head, Pangbourne will be hoping for a smooth transition out of the 8+ into the 4+ this weekend for a challenge to be amongst the medals. The only regatta result for the Pangbourne J16s in their 8+ at Wallingford. This crew is an unknown and it will be interesting to see how they perform on the day
Aberdeen Schools
Aberdeen have been racing in the 4+ since Schools’ Head, where they won, and will hoping to make it two wins out of two for the two main events of the season at J16 level. It would certainly be awesome to see them do this. Them seem to be on track to do so, with this crew winning at the Strathclyde Park Regatta. Although there are no recent times to compare them against the other crews in this category, they will be coming from Scotland with intent.
Fulham Reach
Also a crew that have been racing in the 4+ for a while, Fulham Reach were 9th in this category at Schools’ Head and are unlikely to feature at the top end of the results. That being said, it is great the Fulham Reach are racing, and I imagine there will cheers of support not just from their cohort this weekend.
Norwich School
One of the only entries in this category with an 8 also racing in J16Ch8+, I do not expect Norwich to be huge challengers for a medal. That being said, this year group did win J15 1st8+ last year, and it could be the case that some of that crew are racing here. That experience of how to succeed at Dorney will put them at an advantage over the opposition.
Monkton Combe School
Winners in the J16 category last year, this year’s Monkton cohort will want to replicate their squadmates’ achievement and leave with the gold medals. 8th place at Schools’ Head.
Walton RC
The crew with the greatest chance of toppling the incoming charge from Aberdeen, Walton will want to seek revenge on 2nd place at Schools’ Head with one better and a win this weekend.
Other crews expected to feature and challenge for a spot in the A final are Monmouth School,Emanuel School,King’s School Chester. All these crews raced in the 8+ at School’s Head, so it is relatively unknown where they fit in to the fours who have raced consistently.
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