The Junior Sculling Regatta presents a chance for the top sculling programs to race before the National Schools’ Regatta dawns. This year JSR falls on the sixth of May, and happens to coincide with the Munich International Regatta removing some of the top sculling talent. This leaves the question of whether depth of squad will be enough to save the top programs, or will we see some less established programs leave their mark?
Tideway Scullers School
Following Tideway Scullers’ recent win in the championship quads at Schools’ Head of the River, we can expect them to be one of the top sculling programs coming into the summer racing season. With Thomas Patrick going international this weekend, TSS have seemingly prioritised the double and we can not count out this double as a top contender to fight for the gold this weekend.
The Windsor Boys’ School
Another top British sculling programme, Windsor has fallen short of expectations at SHORR where they missed out on the podium. With their top guys Jimmy Harlow and Joe Wellington in Munich, the question is whether we will see the remainder of the SHORR quad on top form in the double. Their ‘A’ double consists of Chute and Taylor, winners of the CH 4x- and J16 4x- at the National Schools’ Regatta last year, making them a crew with plenty of experience winning on the local Dorney waters.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow Rowing Club, much like the other programmes, have lost their top athlete Jerry Anderson to the GB squad. Following a second place finish at SHORR I can imagine their double will be a threat to Tideway Scullers and post a challenge for the gold position. I’ve always found taking silver at SHORR is a great driving force to push on in summer and have no doubt that they have found the same.
Hinskey Sculling School
Hinskey are the only club in this preview not to have lost a member to Munich, and as a result I see them as strong contenders for gold. Their pairing following a third at SHORR will be gunning to change up the order and we can expect good things from them this bank holiday.
Predictions
The Sch 2x- this year seems to be the category for the squads who have lost rowers to an international call up. Programs such as Leander who maintain their full crew have opted to remain in the quad and I look forward to seeing how the programs perform without their top guys. The racing will undoubtedly be close, but I reckon the Tideway Scullers crew will nudge their bows ahead. However, as with all predictions, I look forward to being proven wrong!
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