Our second submitted preview…
This should be a well contested and hotly fought contest at the top end of the J15 sweep rowing spectrum with a number of strong crews. This is my take on what is the pinnacle regatta of the season for most crews.
Westminster
This crew has to be considered as one of the favourites for this event, putting in a number of strong performances throughout the season. A commanding victory in Ch8 at Schools head put down an early marker with further success coming in 4s at Ghent Spring regatta. These performances, combined with Bill Mason’s input in this crew make them ones to watch for the gold.
St Pauls
Defending champions in this event St. Paul’s clearly know a thing or two about producing a strong 8 at this age category. A good runners up position at Schools head will have definitely motivated these boys to overturn the Westminster outfit. Not entering Wallingford in an 8 means we really haven’t seen their speed over 2000m but I am sure this crew will be in and around the medals
Hampton
Again another crew with a good pedigree in sweep oar rowing and last years runners up this is clearly another quick crew. A solid 3rd at Schools head behind two tideway based crews is a solid platform and then second at Wallingford by only 0.6 secs suggests this crew have a solid 2000m pace under their belts. This consistency and obvious pace suggests that this crew could really challenge for the gold on Saturday.
Kings Chester
Again a crew I feel will be in the hunt for a medal here at Dorney. A midpack finish on the tails of the lead group at schools head is a decent start but they have clearly kicked on since then perhaps using a training camp to good effect to pinch the win at Wallingford by the tightest of margins from Hampton. This would have been a real confidence boost and motivated these boys to find that extra few seconds of boat speed. I feel this crew will be in and around come the final.
Marlow
Again another crew that have been in and around the higher reaches of the category throughout the year. A tie for third at Schools head suggests a good base pace but this crew were 4 seconds off Hampton in the final at Wallingford, the crew they tied with at SHORR suggesting there is more to come from this boat. Again should make the final, with a chance of a medal.
St Edwards
Another boat coming out of Teddies, who have clearly found speed as the season has gone on. At schools head they placed 8th nearly a minute adrift of the winners that day Westminster. However they really have found some speed come regatta season with a solid 3rd place finish at Wallingford. It’s worth noting that neither Westminster or Pauls boated an 8 at Wallingford so it will be interesting to see how this crew stacks up and if it has kicked on again.
Prediction
This should be a well fought event with a very tight margin between crews. I think Westminster will take the win, followed by Hampton in second with Kings Chester a tight 3rd.
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