The single is such a different game than all other boat classes in rowing. Unlike crew boats you’re out there by yourself, nobody to sit and grind the winter miles along with. It’s a true test of self-motivation, resilience and pure will. But from the outside they can be rowing celebrities. Unlike the crew boats, it is just about the rower in the boat and so we become more invested in the person as the individual athlete. There’s something about an individual doing their training and competition by themselves that makes us all learn their name. In the lead up to Henley, many competitors will want to make their mark in the same way and put them on the rowing map as a strong single sculler. But who’s name will we be talking about after Marlow regatta? Let’s have a look at the top line up.
Cameron Buchan
As the double winner of the championship single sculls at Met regatta, Cameron Buchan is the favourite. Someone who many people won’t need to learn his name, he’s made his mark by showing his YouTube audience just how tough it can be to train solo and get quick in this boat class. His wins at Met may have been well won with some close finishes, but Marlow presents him with a new crowd to race, so how will he take it? He can only hope the pressure of coming in from two wins doesn’t get to him, and he can keep his cool all the way to the top of the podium.
James Scott, Waikato Rowing Club, NZL
Coming a long way for this Dorney bash, James Scott is coming all the way from New Zealand. With the kiwis showing some strong single sculling at recent international races, perhaps there’s something in the water that we don’t know about. Having come seventh at the New Zealand national championships this year, Scott provides tough competition for the field. With some international experience coming from the single sculls at the 2022 World Cup 2, his experience in high level racing may give him a competitive edge.
Hamish Harding, Australian National University Boat Club, Canberra, AUS
Another rower coming from down under, Hamish Harding is here representing the Australian National University Boat Club. An ex-lightweight rower, Harding has represented Australia in both the lightweight single sculls at the 2022 World Rowing Championships as well as the open weight double sculls at the 2024 World Cup 1. They say that if someone comes from further away, they’ve come for a reason. Well you can’t come from further away than this, so Harding must have a lot to say. I think the question he’ll be asking himself is how shiny of a medal he wants.
Dan Jones, Leander Club
Another ex-lightweight rower, Dan Jones is Leander’s powerhouse ‘A’ rower for the championship singles. Having not been present at Met regatta, Jones will come in strong with a desire to get a Dorney podium before the final lead up to Henley. After some international fun with training camps and racing with Leander, the work has been done to provide a race that no doubt will be one to watch.
Predictions
This year’s Marlow regatta is bursting with talent, and the championship singles showcases this in a spectacular way. With lots of athletes with international experience, they should know how to tackle the racing in the best way. It’s hard to give a good prediction, with all four named athletes being so close in talent it will no doubt be a tight race with a result of simply who is willing to go through more pain than the rest. I think Buchan and Harding will be the real battle for gold, with Buchan just edging out Harding with the final sprint to the line, thanks to the previous Dorney experience he has just had. James Scott will be close by, however, fighting hard to make his medal shinier while fighting off Dan Jones to keep his medal position. A tough battle that will lead Jones to just miss out on a podium position, but no doubt will keep the kiwi happy to have something to take home from such a tight race. If you’re around racing at Marlow, I would absolutely keep my eye out for this A-final as it is not one to miss!
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