The 30 boats that make up the J16 G4x enter this event in the unlikely circumstance of only having really raced in their J14 year. This makes this race an exciting prospect and leaves the door open for anyone to impress. For these crews, transitioning to a coxless boat will have its challenges, in particular for the bow seat, steering, something which none of them will have had much race practise doing.
No stranger to success, the crew from KRC enter this event with the sure aim of improving on their silver medal from their last appearance at National Schools in the J14 Girls’ Octo in 2019. This crew have impressive history in national events, medalling at The National Junior Sculling Regatta and winning the National Junior Sculling Head as part of the 8x+ in their J14 season. It will be interesting to see if they can transfer their success from the bigger boat to the quad and in particular if they can rise to the challenge of the coxless category. KRC also have a boat entered in the 2nd event showing this squad have strength in depth and no doubt this competition for seats will have given them both drive and determination.
The 4 girls from Henley RC will be looking to continue their club’s winning streak in this event, given that it’s been a Henley victory on the past 2 occasions. In contrast to a number of the other crews entered, and somewhat unsurprisingly, this quad have not raced together at any major events so far, so it will be interesting to see the effects of lockdown training and what they can do having had limited time on the water. Boddy and Graham, have previous experience in a National Schools’ A final, having come 6th in the J14 G8x+ in 2019, so it is likely they will be aiming for a higher place finish this year, should they get close to defending Henley’s title for a third successive victory.
Headington’s quad is one of the likely contenders for the title considering this boat is largely unchanged from their silver medal winning J14 4x+ at the 2019 National Schools’ Regatta. The bow seat, Anthony, is the only change from that crew two years ago and I’m sure they’ll be hoping that can make the difference to them securing a victory on Sunday. With no entry in the J16 eights, these girls will be sure to put in a strong performance to improve on the club’s results in this event in recent years and demonstrate the dominance of the Headington Rowing programme.
Weybridge RC come into this event perhaps one of the most race ready of all crews having raced multiple boats at their home event, Weybridge Silver Sculls last October. Although not in a coxless quad, the four athletes raced both the single and double scull. Hammett- McHarg and Briody won in the double and Foulkes and Truett placed second. Of the four, Truett placed best in the WJ16 1x, coming 3rd and Briody was a close 4th behind her. This practise in small-boats no doubt will have improved their skills on the water and helped them come together more cohesively as a crew, as they aim to improve on their 4th place finish in the B final in the WJ14 4x+ at NSR 2019.
Tideway Scullers School are never one to be underestimated either; a win for McCarthy in the WJ16 1x at Weybridge Silver Sculls last Autumn as well as a 4th place finish for O’Sullivan and McCarthy in the WJ16 2x show their sculling prowess in small boats. Looking to mirror that success in the quad and given that TSS were 2nd in this event at the last NSR in 2019, this crew will be aiming to upset the Henley winning streak by going one better on Sunday.
Given past performance, I think the main contest for the win will come from Headington and Kingston Rowing Club, however, with the absence of A/B semis, the time trial will be all important as crews aim to set themselves up for success in the finals.
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