J16 2x
The crew to watch in this event is Winchester College. Featuring members of the J15 CH8+ who defeated Eton in a spectacular victory at Wallingford Regatta and went on to win a silver at National Schools’, the members of this double can also boast a gold medal in J15 4x+ at the same regatta. I doubt anyone will be able to touch this crew with proven sculling ability and power to match over the 4.8km course.
Other notable crews include members of Dulwich College’s strong J15 2nd8+, although most of their squad have opted for fours and quads. DUL-Verdino and DUL-Kerr should lead the rest of the category. There is little information on some of the crews who have not yet competed this season, but Walton have a strong sculling history and may come out with some fast doubles to match Dulwich.
J16 1x
There are more familiar faces in this event, with many experienced scullers clashing. Winchester have another member of their gold medalist Nation Schools’ quad in a single scull. Although he hasn’t proven himself in small boats as of yet, Tobias Schroder on strength alone should prove fierce competition for anyone else in this category.
Barn Elms also have a strong showing with Arun Jackson, who has already achieved an impressive 6th of 17 at Pairs Head in J16 2x this season. He qualified for National Schools’ with a good time in the single scull so I would expect a good result from him, and he may even be a challenge to Schroder.
Coming from a respectable 13th of 17 in J16 2x at Pairs Head, both Arthur Morris and Laurence Ellis of Tiffin School will be looking to gain some ground on Barn Elms. Morris, who competed in this event a few weeks ago at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls and achieved a 13th place out of 25 boats in a competitive category, will also be challenging for the top places.
WJ16 2x
Unfortunately, there aren’t many entries in this event, with most of the bigger schools opting for Pangbourne Junior Sculls. With a low qualifying and non-qualifying double at National Schools’ Regatta last season, Molesey have swapped the double combinations from WJ15 crews from last year, and this should make for some close times. One of the two should come out at the top of the category.
St Paul’s Girls had a disappointing last season, but with some members of the J15G 8+ at National Schools’ having raced a category up in coxed fours with greater success, there’s a chance that they’ll be competitive with Molesey.
WJ16 1x
Another relatively small category, the three scullers from Surbiton High School will be dominant here with members of their Nat Schools’ qualifying quad. I don’t think the St Paul’s Girls sculler will be faster than any of these girls.
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