This event is one of the more unusual ones but the common trend is that there is a clear winner with a few other crews battling it out for the lower medal positions in the race. This year is shaping up to be no exception to the rule. There are 21 crews entered into the event and with that let’s get onto the review.
Latymer Upper School
They have been the dominant force in the 8 this season and that is no surprise considering they were the winners of the Windrush trophy and the J14 Girls B Oct last year. They have also performed well this season taking the win on their home water at SHORR beating the next fastest crew Henley RC by 9 seconds. Latymer have had a good start to the regatta season performing well with a win in the 8 over Sir William Perkins and Headington at Marlow Spring Regatta. They also entered a coxed quad at junior inter regional regatta which came in third behind two sculling clubs thus showing their ability and maturity to row in both disciplines. I believe come Nat schools they will be the crew who will be looking to put a few lengths between them and second to secure a comfortable win on the Saturday.
Lady Eleanor Holles
This crew came 4th at schools head but they were a long distance in front of 5th placed Emanuel Sch but they were also 14 seconds adrift from Headington showing that they are secure in 4th as it looks as though they were a distance away from a medal position at NSR. However with the surprising no show of Henley they should be in a position for third. The stroke woman of this boat Lizzie Witt seems to be an impressive rower as she has entered J16 trials as a 15 and she won in her single at JIRR; so her technical ability and power at stroke should set up a good platform for the rest of the LEH crew. I think if they are able to stay in the mix to 1k they should be able to push for that medal position considering they are in a good girls programme. However it all depends if the boat is able to use its strengths if so, a top medal should be within their reach.
Headington
The Headington girls placed a solid 3rd at SHORR this year and will be looking to go one up to the second spot at Nat schools or possibly to even challenge Latymer for their podium position. From what I can see in terms of promising results for the girls comes in the quads at Wallingford. The first of the quads came second behind a strong Henley crew and the second of their quads came 4th showing they have a good amount of depth within the 8. They are going to have to be cohesive together and rely on technical ability if they are going to be able to push Latymer to a fast final and also the gold medal. However without Henley RC to be able to go side by side with it may be hard for them to motivate themselves to the top spot.
Notable others
With the lack of races this season which involved most of these J15 8s and the fact these three crews above are so dominant this season and with the surprise entry of Henley RC entering into another event; even with the fact they had an excellent medal opportunity I’m slightly baffled honestly. Other crews to definitely look out for are Emmanuel and Putney High School who will most likely be having their own battle down the course but I don’t think either of these crews is quite able to remove the medals from these other crews. There is also the possibility that Sir William Perkins have found some speed for the regatta season with a decent result at Marlow Spring.
Prediction
1st – Latymer
2nd – Headington
3rd – LEH
Written by Views From The Bows
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