As one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends in the junior rowing calendar near approaches, crews throughout the country will be refining their practice in hopes of achieving one of the coveted National Schools’ Regatta this weekend. The Marlow Bowl for the Boys J16 double looks to be hotly contested with 41 doubles entering.
Windsor Boys School
Taking the win in this boat class only a few weekends ago at the Junior Sculling Regatta, this Windsor Boys School J16 double outfit will be looking to replicate their success this weekend.
Hereford Cathedral School BC
One of the strengths of the National Schools’ Regatta is that it allows for smaller clubs and school programmes that still host strong athletes to appear on the podium of which can so often be overtaken by a small minority of elite clubs. Finishing less than 2s behind the Windsor Boys School crew, the Hereford Cathedral Schoolcrew of Farquharson and Hargraves proved to have a quick start, leading off the start at JSR until the 500m. It will be interesting to see if they are able to hold this lead for longer this weekend and walk away this time with a gold medal.
Molesey BC
Achieving a bronze at the JSR, Price and Alden-Patel of Molesey BC will be looking to close the one second margin between them and second place and hopefully move up the podium this weekend. Furthermore, after racing last year in the J15 coxed quad, it proves they are clearly experienced scullers and hence the shift into this smaller and lighter boat class could cause these young athletes to thrive and improve on their 6th place B final performance last year.
Peterborough City RC
Yet another small club destined to make a name for themselves on the National Schools’ Regatta Stage is Read Moreira Lima and Barber of Peterborough City RC. Recently placing 6th at the Junior Sculling Regatta, this crew will be looking to close the 6 second margin between them and arguably their closest competition, Molesey. It will be interesting to see if the past few weekends of training have been put to good use and allow them to deliver a strong performance this weekend.
Shanklin Sandown RC
Albeit these boys may be a bit more familiar with rowing on the coast, this does not appear to have stopped this combination of Horrix and Sheasby from proving themselves on the junior circuit. Winning at the British Rowing Junior Championships last year in the J14 double shows these boys clearly have some speed in the bank. However, racing a year up it will be interesting to see how they compare to their slightly more experienced opposition.
Other mentions
With the nature of small boat races allowing for the results to be turned over a matter of 500m, it really comes down to it on the day as to who is able to execute the best race plan in order to come out on top. Hence, alongside the aforementioned crews, do not be surprised if you see the likes of Hartpury University and College BC, Hinksey Sculling School, Claires Court School and Tideway Scullers School.
Predictions
Much like many of the junior men’s sculling events we are seeing this weekend, I believe this race to be Windsor Boys School’s to lose. Where the competition looks to be the most interesting is the fight for the remaining positions on the podium which I can see going any way between Hereford Cathedral School, Molesey or the young boys from Shanklin Sandown.
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