Crunch time has arrived. In under a week clubs from across the country will pack up their boats and make the pilgrimage to Eton Dorney for NSR 2023. For many entering the coxless fours event, the prestige of this regatta is unparalleled, and for those with eyes set on Henley and beyond, the stakes only become greater. With a recent return to the Olympic calendar, this event has skyrocketed in popularity, only making national and international competition more furious. With that said, these ladies are sure to bring their steel to the occasion in a bid to claim the Colts Cup for 2023.
Hinksey Sculling School
Surprisingly absent from the Championship Eights event this year, Hinksey’s strong performance, exemplified by their fourth-placed finish at Schools’ Head and second at Fours Head, seems set to continue at National Schools’. With two of the medalists from the eight returning from 2022, the experience in their crew poses a formidable threat to their competition.
Shrewsbury School
Bolstered by a win at Wallingford Regatta earlier this season, the Shrewsbury girls have their work cut out for them, defending the win against a much wider and more competitive field. Despite the fact that they are a fairly young crew, Shrewsbury have shown their ability to fight and come out on top; only time will tell if they can do it again.
St Pauls Girls School
Having been beaten by only a second at Wallingford by Shrewsbury, these girls will surely have something to prove at Dorney next weekend. Throughout the year St Pauls have delivered strong and consistent results, but to make a dash for the podium this year those extra inches could make all the difference.
Molesey BC
With impressive results at smaller regattas and junior trials this year, Molesey seems to have flown largely under the radar. That being said, the club’s talent for both sweeping and sculling is sure to prove an asset for the coxless lane racing of regatta season – they seem to crop up with one or two blades present in equal measure.
George Heriot’s School
As defending champions, the Heriot girls are under pressure to live up to their legacy. A completely new crew from last year, this team is not comprised of the athletes that attended Junior Worlds and Coupe last year. It will take a lot for this boat to reclaim the title.
Glasgow Academy
Very familiar with their Strathclyde neighbours George Heriots, the girls from Glasgow Academy are no strangers to a Scottish showdown. Backed by strong results at trials this year alongside a backlog of successes domestically, there is no doubting what these girls will be contemplating on their seven-hour journey down to the Olympic lake.
Other Entries
With so many entries this year it is impossible to catalogue the successes and potentials of all crews involved, with clubs such as Tideway Scullers School, Pangbourne College and Wimbledon High School all likely to feature highly.
Predictions
Overall, I would have to predict a win for Hinksey this year with a close tussle between Molesey, St Pauls and Shrewsbury for the remaining podium places. Whatever the outcome the competition is sure to be ferocious and, for a select few, glorious.
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