National School’s is for many single scullers, the biggest and most prestigious race of the season. Gliding down a 2000m course, inevitably under the searing British summer sun, with nothing but you and your single-scull to make it to the finish line. The 1x is not a boat class for the weak, and the 56 entrants into this year’s Championship Single are looking to prove themselves amongst the strongest of the pack.
Hartpury College Boat Club
Seeded third is Hartpury’s sculler Elliott Donovan-Davies, who perhaps needs no introduction. He has racked up result after result this season. A one-year junior, he came eighth in the GB trials back in February, the second-fastest U23 sculler at the age of 18. This is already a hugely impressive result, but he doubled this up by winning the B final in the April GB trials, again beating mostly U23s. However, what is undoubtedly the highlight of Donovan-Davies’ season is a bronze medal at BUCS regatta, making him the youngest-ever medallist at BUCS. Having received accolade after accolade, along with the fact that his erg time is closely approaching a 6:00 flat, he could be an unstoppable force. With his results improving throughout the season, it is very possible that he has not yet hit peak performance, so watch this space for a strong row.
Wycliffe College Boat Club
The sculler going off first in the time trial is Wycliffe’s Max Fullman, who is already a very talented rower but also shows much potential for improvement. At only 16 years old, he has already represented Great Britain internationally, where he competed at the Munich International Junior Regatta just a couple of weeks ago in the double. This international appearance was due to a very impressive third place at GB Junior Trials, finishing within three seconds of the overall winner. National Schools’ is not holding a J16 1x race this year, so Fullman is making the leap to compete with those older than him. Based on his past experiences this will not faze him at all. With the focus perhaps on J17s and J18s racing, some may have forgotten that there is an extremely talented J16 sculler who will be aiming for an overall victory and could be within the medals.
Hinksey Sculling School
There may be a dozen or so rowers seeded ahead of him, but Hinksey’s James Lamboll is not to be underestimated. As is seen time and time again, the seeding is unreliable and does not reflect the results. Lamboll certainly fits into this category, as he might climb above several of his competitors into the A-final and likely stand in contention for a medal. He is no stranger to big races, having been part of Hinksey’s run last year to the final of the Fawley at Henley Royal Regatta. This year Lamboll seems to have made the switch to the single, and it seems to have been the right decision. Despite not going to GB Trials, he won Wallingford Regatta, which must have boosted his morale just in time for what will be the pinnacle of his season in the single.
Cambridge 99
Ben Mead is the event holder, having won this race by nearly 15 seconds in 2023. Although he arguably faces sterner competition in 2024, you would be a fool to write off a sculler who knows what it takes to win at this level. Mead went on to win two medals for Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in the summer and arrives at Dorney as one of the strongest names on the docket.
Others Notable Entries
Such is the strength of the field that it would be remiss not to mention other scullers who will all be trying to go for glory. There are several competitors who were at GB Trials just a fortnight or so ago, of whom Sam Furley of Sir William Borlase was the most successful. Hot on his heels was Windsor Boys’ School Adam Elliott, and Windsor’s pedigree and domination of the sculling field is known by all. Also going strong this season have been Hereford Cathedral School’s Jack Watts and Yarm School’s Archie Norton.
Prediction
The overall winner is seemingly easy to choose: Elliott Donovan-Davies from Hartpury looks well-placed to win the gold medal, to continue his highly impressive season. It is much, much harder to call second or third. I predict Max Fullman to come in at second, and there will be a real race for third place, where James Lamboll, our underdog of the race, might just pip the others to the post. Expect Ben Mead to also be highly competitive.
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