After a year out many clubs appear raring to get stuck into the 2021 regatta circuit with many starting at the National Schools’ Regatta. There are 9 crews entered into the Girls Championship 8+ this year so should provide some exciting racing. With minimal racing having occurred recently, it is set to be an exciting and eventful race where it will be a clear indication over who’s lockdown programmes have paid off.
Canford School Boat Club
With only two crews entered at the Regatta (a girls eight and boys quad), Canford are a club who have probably flown under the radar over the past decade. The school are lucky to have the River Stour running alongside the grounds with the boathouse just a short walk from the main campus. Ian Dryden, Director of Rowing, was formerly assistant coach at Cambridge University in the 1990s when Cambridge dominated both the Blue Boat and Goldie races – so he knows how to win. Can Canford upset the odds and steal onto the podium? If ever there was a time to do it, it’s now.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club has a long-established history of success at NSR and this year is not set to differ. Bringing some strong racing experience to the crew is Georgina Pollard who competed in the GB vs France for 2019 in the coxless quad. Additionally, Georgina Pollard alongside Sophie Underwood was also part of the winning J16 8+ at NSR in 2019. The crew appears to have a large amount of time previously racing together as another three of the girls: Rhiannon Luke, Lucy Jones, and Francesca Whittle all won in the J14 4x+ in 2019. With over half the boat winning at NSR before they are set to put out a strong performance and should add to some exciting racing.
Lady Eleanor Holles BC
Currently holding the Girls Championship 8+ title, Lady Eleanor Holles BC are back to see if they can maintain their victory for another year. The crew has prior experience racing together with Margo Bellamy, Hannah Supple, and Harriet Taylor all racing together in 2019 at NSR. In addition, Hannah Supple has put down notable performances setting LEHBC’s 5k and 2k records. If this is anything to go by, it suggests a strong lockdown training programme that should hopefully pay off on race day.
Latymer Upper School BC
Another favourite for this year’s title is Latymer Upper School BC. The crew is part of a well-established squad that has raced together across multiple competitions and events. Olga Krivdina, Claire Gooch, Julia Hunt-Davis, and Caroline Rijkse all competed previously together at NSR in 2019. Furthermore, Julia Hunt-Davis also raced in the Championship girls 8+ in 2019 where she achieved silver. The long-term experience these girls have had together may act as an advantage on the day after the limited water time crews have had over the past year.
Molesey Boat Club
It is always refreshing to see a club boat against the big schools (fair to say that Henley have been doing more than just ‘boat’ in this class for a few years) but Molesey are a great name to see. They’ve had a few standout successes on the junior scene, not least the junior men’s four that went within inches of winning a senior event at Henley Royal Regatta. This year, the crew may be at a slight disadvantage given a lot of schools were able to provide equipment and programs for juniors to train throughout the lockdowns. Molesey won’t have entered for nothing though. Expect to see a credible showing.
The King’s School Chester Boat Club
Another example of a boat club well run on both the boys and girls side, the King’s School Chester have always mixed it in impressive circles without ever really setting the world on fire. They’ve entered two eights next weekend, demonstrating impressive strength in depth and athlete retention after a troubling period off the water. Their Twitter feed is more a passive endorsement of NSR’s official channels and as such gives little away as to their speed or form coming into this.
Prediction
With minimal racing opportunities over the last year, it is set to be an exciting race where it could be any crew to take the victory. Due to their prior successes, Henley RC appears to be in the lead for the Aylings Challenge cup title with a tight contention for the other podium positions between Lady Eleanor Holles BC and Latymer Upper BC.
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