With this weekends racing getting ever closer and for many of the girls being half way through GCSEs this race will definitely be tense and have some really competitive racing from all crews. There’s a total of 29 in the category all of whom have produced some excellent results over the past year therefore giving everyone a chance to put their hard work and training into practice. The following crews are some of the top ranking in the category who we will be expecting to see in the top 5 finishes.
Hinksey
This year’s Hinksey squad are competing at high standards with a strong finish to the head season by taking 4th place at School’s Head of the River. Their most recent result was at Junior Sculling regatta where they placed a strong 3rd among a competitive mix, just missing out on the top spot to Marlow and Surbiton. I think the girls look to be a strong contender and will definitely be setting some pace on Sunday.
Headington
The Headington girls have been strong contenders, starting with 4th place at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls. The girls have continued to race well as the year has gone by but with no significant wins at either Junior Sculling Regatta or Wallingford Regatta. There is however high anticipation regarding the crew as the clubs squad last year placed 2nd at National Schools Regatta. I believe that these girls could be prepped and ready to show of months of hard work this weekend which may come as a surprise to other crews so it should make for some exciting racing.
Henley
As ever Henley again have had a hugely successful and strong squad of J16 girls. With a very close 2nd at 4s and 8s Hampton Head and then a win at Henley Long Distance Sculls the girls really set their mark on other competitors. They soon followed these results with a win at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, 5 out of 6 crews entered in Junior Championships making finals and most recently 5th at Wallingford Regatta. I think it is fair to say that this crew will definitely be up there in the top 3 with these strong results behind them. However they have big boots to fill from last years squad who came both 1st and 2nd at Henley Royal Regatta and so the nerves and anticipation will be high for them this weekend.
Marlow
Marlow once again have been extremely successful with medals and trophies to back it up. They achieved an impressive win at Hampton head and a close second at Henley Sculls which has enabled the crew to show their competition that they are highly competitive and strongly in the running for top positions. Following these impressive results the girls finished the head season with a bang taking 4th in Junior Sculling Head and 1st in School’s Head of the River. As they entered the Regatta season they were quick to show their strengths are not only long distance with a win at Junior Sculling Regatta. These crews have certainly proved to all that they are one of the strongest in the field and at the moment look like the ones to beat.
Putney
The J16 girls squad at Putney has had a mixed year with some good wins in places. At the start of the academic year they won Weybridge Head and then came 2nd at Hampton Small Boats Head putting up at the top of the competition. However as the head season came to an end their results were no longer quite as strong with an unfortunate last place at Schools Head of the River. Since this they have regained strength and had a win at Bedford Regatta a few weeks ago kicking off the regatta season. I think that these girls have a really strong potential to do well this weekend if they are able to push of in the first part of the race. The club has a rich history of result with last years squad placing 2nd in the quads so I think that overall the girls stand a really good chance.
Alternative crews that could come out on top this weekend include: Fulham Reach, Latyer Upper School, Surbiton High School. I think that all of these crews have a real chance of breaking though the competition and placing in the top 5 if they really push themselves throughout the race.
Good luck to all those racing and doing GCSEs!
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