And we’re back! The 2022 National Schools’ Regatta is just around the corner and we are in for some exciting racing. For all of these athletes, it will be their first time racing at NSR as there were no J15 events last year. This will bring an added level of excitement to what is already a thrilling regatta.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Headington is a name that has been synonymous with junior women’s rowing over the last few years. Their win at Henley Royal Regatta in the Junior Women’s Eight last summer cemented this but they have been some way behind Henley Rowing Club this season. They were 37 seconds behind the latter at Schools’ Head in the eight and nearly 30 seconds behind them at The Junior Sculling Head in the quad. However, they have entered different events to Henley at NSR and this puts them in the driving seat for the gold medal this weekend. Two members of the crew were in Headington’s first eight at Schools’ Head and the cox, Sophie Wrightson, steered Headington’s victorious crew at the Royal last year – all this experience will be invaluable to them as they look to try and take the win on Saturday.
Emanuel School Boat Club
Emanuel is certainly a club that has been on the rise in the last few years and their performances at this year’s Schools’ Head is no exception. All of their girls’ crews placed in the top five in their respective categories, including third in the J16 Girls’ School Eight. In addition, their J16 four placed third at Wallingford Regatta, beating some crews that they will face this weekend and only losing to clubs that have not entered a boat into this event. This puts them in a really strong place for the weekend and they definitely have a chance of winning a medal.
Sir William Perkins’s School Boat Club
SWPS is a club that is better known for its sculling performances but have had some great success in sweeping boats recently, most notably in the younger age groups. Their J16 four placed fourth behind Emanuel at Wallingford Regatta, but by some distance – over 20 seconds. However, I firmly believe that they can and will go faster and they will have a great opportunity to do that this weekend.
Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club
Stratford-upon-Avon have spent much of their season in sculling boats so it is perhaps a bit of a surprise to see them entering a four at NSR this year. When this crew was a quad, they placed fourth in their heat, and seventh overall, at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. They then came second in the B Final at the Junior Sculling Regatta (JSR), a vast improvement considering that there were many more crews entered at the JSR. If they can transfer this over to sweep, then they could certainly be in contention for the medals this weekend.
Prediction
It will be hard to look past Headington this weekend. They are a formidable club and I can see them winning by clear water. Behind them is where the real race will be with Emanuel, SWPS and Stratford-upon-Avon all fighting out for medals with potentially one of the other crews causing an upset. All in all, it promises to be an exciting event!
Steady Steight
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