Kingston Small Boats head is the perfect opportunity for upcoming GB junior trialists to practice racing a 5k one week prior to the Early Identification Trials. Out of the 28 women entered, 14 of them will be heading to Boston next weekend to participate in the first round of junior GB trialing. This year the Junior women’s 18 single category features entries from Tideway Scullers, Kingston Grammar School, Suribiton High school and St Paul’s girl’s school. The day of the regatta looks to be a rainy one so recovery and preparation will be key for all the athletes competing. The water will be high which, partnered with a strong stream, will inevitably lead to a couple of steering mishaps throughout the course of the day. Maintaining a fast line and reacting quickly to marshals will be essential to the winning or losing of this race.
Tideway Scullers – Scheske, Cornelius
Cornelius and Scheske of Tideway scullers will no doubt provide a solid performance this weekend. Zoe Scheske represented GB last summer at the annual GB vs France match in the junior women’s single alongside her team mate Ursula Cornelius who raced in the junior women’s eight. Scheske has already proved her speed in the single scull and it will be interesting to see if Cornelius is able to replicate the power she has in sweep boats into the smallest of sculling boats.
Kingston grammar school – Abbott
Lily Abbott placed first at last season’s Wallingford regatta with a comfortable margin between herself and the rest of the field. Abbott also placed 15th in the Championship single at the National Schools’ regatta earlier this year. With such a strong set of results as a J17, I have no doubt that in her J18 year Abbott will achieve great things.
Surbiton high school – Sutton, Sanders, Theobald
At the National Schools Regatta last season a Championship quad containing Sutton and Sanders placed 16th in the time trial, missing out on a place in the semi finals by four places. No doubt this result will be fuelling the girl’s motivation to train hard this season and I would expect to see a dramatic step up in their quality of racing over the next few months. Lucy Theobald stroked the Surbiton J16 eight last year to achieve a very impressing bronze at the National Schools Regatta, it will definitely be great to see if she is able to transfer her competence in sweep boats into the smaller sculling boats.
With such a large draw this year it is almost impossible to predict the top few spaces. Placing well in this regatta will rely heavily on the individual athlete’s ability to steer effectively and to maintain a strong race-pace rhythm over the lengthy 5 kilometre course. Best of luck to those competing at the junior GB trials next weekend.
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