This weekend, we move our eyes towards the Thames, where crews will battle it out over the 5200m course. With the ever-looming weather being a deciding factor in most of the races for the head season calendar, crews will be looking to make the most of the racing chance they have, not knowing how the winter months will unfold.
Shiplake College Boat Club
A club steeped in tradition on the front of men’s sweeping on the junior circuit, Shiplake College has been on the rise in recent years with the construction of a formidable sculling program, reaching its peak thus far at the end of last season, making its mark by racing the Saturday of The Fawley Challenge Cup. The crew beat went from strength to strength throughout the regatta, starting to replicate the prowess of a women’s squad that won The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup in 2021. Given Shiplake’s impressive record for head racing results on the Thames, there is a high probability that this outfit from Shiplake will be a formidable crew to chase.
Kingston Rowing Club
In recent years the Kingston Rowing Club program has been on the rise with weekends in the The Fawley Challenge Cup and various National Schools’ Regatta medals within their wheelhouse. On that basis alone, the pedigree of Kingston cannot be underestimated. However, Kingston has the home water advantage on their side; with this, they will be sure to execute a clinical line that will make the most of any stream available, a strategy which notoriously pays dividends on the Thames. Whilst they may not have had the most successful season last year compared to recent years, Kingston will have a definite opportunity to show their efforts from training on their home stretch.
American School In London Boat Club
A relative unknown in the field of men’s junior sculling in the UK, American School in London have been on the rise through the ranks since the exit of the rowing world from the restrictions of Covid-19, culminating last year with a B-final finish in Junior 18 quads at Marlow Regatta. As the school is only showing up for this event, it is not unreasonable to say that they may be putting their best foot forward. Again, as a Tideway-based club boating out of the University of London boathouses, the crew will be well versed in the nature of the Thames; having to battle with it daily, they will be sure to make the most of this practice.
My Predictions
For me, the long-standing pedigree of Shiplake College cannot be disputed. Therefore, I think it is reasonable to assume that they will be taking the top spot at the weekend. However, I expect them to be closely followed by the boys from Kingston Rowing Club with the American School in London rounding out the top-three spots.
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