As the rowing season approaches its peak, rowers turn their attention to the weekend of racing at the National Schools’ Regatta, ready to prove themselves as the best in their category. With the Internationals Cup for Championship Single Sculls being one of the most hotly-contested events, there is set to be a lot of close and intense racing over the course of the Saturday and Sunday.
Chloe Sheppard – Hartpury
Hartpury is known for producing athletes of a very high standard and Sheppard is no exception. After a solid performance at U19 trials, she came second at the Junior Sculling Regatta in the WJ17 2x, showing her strength in smaller sculling boats. Sheppard is one of the scullers I can see definitely competing for the top spot this weekend.
Rebecca Donn – Claires Court
After winning the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta last year, Donn has continued to excel in 2023. She won the time trial at the Junior Sculling Regatta but was unable to race in the final where she almost certainly would have medalled. Donn has also performed well at U19 trials this season so she is who I predict will take the win.
Claudia Kerry-Roger – Marlow RC
Kerry-Roger is another junior who has done well at the U19 trials this year. After winning National Schools’ last year in the Championship Girls Quads, she placed in the top five at the Early ID trials and had another great performance at the Long Distance trial in February.
Jemimah Donn – Claires Court
The other half of the Donn duo, Jemimah Donn, has proved to be a strong, upcoming talent on the sculling scene after winning the Diamond Jubilee at Henley Royal Regatta. She placed first in WJ171x at the Junior Sculling Regatta in a close final with a time that would have seen her finish on the podium in the WJ181x final.
Ella Baden Darrington – Peterborough City Rowing Club
After finishing second in the WJ181x at the Junior Sculling Regatta, it is impossible to ignore an athlete who already has previous in winning national titles. Darrington won the Junior 16 Girls Scull in 2021 and has continued to mature as a sculler, to the point where she must now be considered a strong contender for the premier prizes.
Giulia Riley – Barn Elms
Riley may come from a smaller club but has recently proved that she is definitely one to watch over the next few years. She has started the summer regatta season strong, being selected to race for Thames London at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta in the WJ16 1x and coming second before finishing taking silver to J. Donn at the Junior Sculling Regatta.
Scarlett Dewar – Agecroft RC
Despite, having a difficult start to the season, Dewar has bounced back and looks set to be a challenger for a medal this year. Making it to the A Final last year, alongside representing England in coastal beach sprints, clearly shows she is capable of performing amongst the best. Hence with another year under her belt, especially when training out of a GB START programme, should have her in her prime come race day.
Notable mentions
Other notable entries include Seymour of Queen Elizabeth High School RC, Phillips of Hereford Cathedral School who will definitely be looking to make an appearance into the A final.
Prediction
With many strong entries this year, the final will be close and will most likely come down to who can hold their own through the middle section of the race. I believe that Rebecca Donn will clinch the title, followed closely by Darrington and Sheppard with Kerry-Roger, J. Donn, Riley and Dewar scrapping it out for A-final berths.
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