The highly prestigious National Schools’ Regatta is coming ever closer and the nerves and excitement will only build from here. For the 25 WJ15 coxed fours it will all come down to a 1K timed run down the lake competing for just 18 spaces in the finals. All of this year’s training will have led up to this moment and I’m sure they’re looking forward to the sunny racing conditions.
Monmouth School for Girls
Starting first and fourth, this school are in a strong place for two high finishes on Friday. After a disappointing 22nd and 29th place in the quads last year Monmouth are trying their hand at sweep which they have previous success in. A fourth-place finish in J15 4+, and a sixth-place finish in the championship girls fours suggests a strong sweep programme for the young rowers to feed into.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
Chasing Monmouth down the course is Barn Elms who have also moved over from the quads last year. With an impressive 12th-place finish here last year and a 10th-place finish at the British Championships in a nearly identical crew, this club could be one to watch. Having now settled into sweep, they secured a 6th place finish at Quintin Head against solid competition and are clearly now looking for more.
Lady Eleanor Holles
With a recent win at Wallingford regatta in an eight, this crew means business. Coming third, just behind Surbiton and Wimbledon at Hampton Head in the winter season suggests an increased focus on short-distance training which will advantage this crew this weekend.
Wimbledon High School
Without their closest rivals (Surbiton) entered in this category, Wimbledon stand a very good chance of claiming victory at this prestigious event. Placing third in the octo’s here last year and missing more recent races to train harder is a sign Wimbledon will be coming out strong with determination to win.
Nottingham and Union Rowing Club
A crew similar to Monmouth girls, picking up a B final in the octo at Nat schools last year and wins in the D and E final in the doubles at Nat Champs. However, the girls came out this year representing the east midlands at JIRR to claim a silver medal in the WJ15 4+. This could prove them to be competitive in the sweep side of rowing at the highest levels this season.
Other entries
Some other crews to watch out for would be Sir William Perkins, Tideway Scullers and I wouldn’t count Wallingford out of the race just yet.
Prediction
I believe we could see a Wimbledon victory on Friday followed closely by Lady Eleanor Holles and the last medal spot being hotly contested between Barn Elms and Wallingford but it going to the aforementioned crew. I do believe it will be close racing all around and definitely enjoyable to watch.
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