The time has come once again for the biggest junior competition of the season and this year it’s at the iconic Eton Dorney lake. This weekend always produces brilliant racing and the build-up within Clubs and Schools is intense up and down country. This fours category will not disappoint, with strong and experienced crews all ready to prove they’ve got what it takes to win.
Kingston
This Kingston crew has gone from strength to strength since their impressive 2018 results. This time last year this crew were J16 winners and have since had a successful streak, including the Junior Championship Fours category at Fours Head and more recently placing first in the Junior Fours category at Wallingford. They are definitely a crew to watch out for this weekend.
Godolphin and Latymer School
The Kingston crew will recognise almost all the girls in this Godolphin crew, as they raced each other last year at National Schools (the Godolphin crew coming 3rd.) This season has been relatively successful for this crew, with a 6th in the Junior Challenge Fours at Fours Head and a mid-field finish at Hammersmith Head. More recently they raced in the Women’s Challenge Fours at Wallingford, choosing not to enter the school’s category and this served them well, as they managed to come 3rd. This crew should be a contender if they continue performing well.
St Paul’s Girls School
These four girls have come up from the successful J16 eight that came 5th at National Schools last year and this season they performed well at Fours Head, with a very close third place in the Challenge Fours and a 4th place at Quintin Head. Wallingford was not as successful for them, with a St Pauls crew only coming 5th in their heat- however with a solid season behind them I’m sure these girls will pull a good time.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Yet again this is a crew that is almost an identical line up from the J16 Fours at National Schools last year, although they only managed to get 2nd place in the B final. Their current season has been more successful however, with a 3rd place at Kingston Head and a 5th place at Wallingford Regatta in the Schools Four category. If this crew can use their experience and build off the solid season they’ve had so far, they have potential.
Others
Other crews that will be ones to look out for are the crew from Shrewsbury School – they have a good programme and some generally good squad results from this season. The crew from Lady Eleanor Holles School also has lots of potential based from their reputation, however they haven’t competed much this season. Lastly, the crew from Sir William Perkin’s has a 3rd place at Wallingford behind them so I hope they will be another competitive club crew.
Predictions
Due to the absence of crews from some very competitive clubs, such as Putney, Lea and Henley the field has somewhat opened up which I hope will lead to some surprises this weekend. However, based off impressive past results and a strong season it’s the Kingston crew that I think will take the win.
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