Entering the National Schools’ Regatta in a year marked by a lack of racing due to a particularly wet start to the rowing season should make for one of the least predictable outcomes in recent memory. However, at least in the realm of top-tier schoolboy eights, it seems that this year’s outcome might ironically be one of the most foreseeable i. Nonetheless, the boys’ second eights category presents an open field, with everything to play for. This is where many top rowing schools will be looking to try and rebalance the scales against what looks like a seemingly unbeatable and dominant St. Paul’s first Vlll.
Eton College
Returning to race on their home turf, Eton College will definitely be strong contenders for the top of the podium. After their day last year didn’t go exactly to plan, these boys will be eager to right their previous wrongs and, with their first Schools’ Head gold in five years (breaking the previous course record), they’ll be eager to cement 2024 as one of constant triumph. With their home field advantage allowing them to refine a potentially more intricate race plan, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them crossing the line leading the pack.
St Paul’s School
Finishing second in this event last year, St Paul’s will be ready to return to Dorney and this time take the gold. After their impressive performance at Wallingford Regatta, taking fourth in the first eight category, these boys will definitely be fancying their chances in the melee. The boys will also smell blood in the water after Radley’s performance at Schools’ Head, seeing their chance to take the Elsenham Trophy back home for the first time in over a decade.
Radley College
With their sixth-placed finish at Schools’ Head, Radley will be eagerly awaiting their chance to right that wrong and end their season with a gold medal around their necks. The confidence of being champions two years in a row in the most competitive second eight race of the year will surely spur them on this Saturday and, as we know, Radley are a club that always rises to the competition and seems to find that extra gear when the occasion requires it.
Shiplake College
Shiplake are a crew you can never count out and it’ll be exciting to see their performance this Saturday. After placing third at the Schools’ Head, they’ll be eager to find a bit of extra speed approaching next weekend with a view to bettering that podium placement in a tightly-congested field. With Shiplake’s vast prowess in time trials, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them taking the best lane in the final, maybe giving them the boost they need to take gold.
Notable Mentions
Bedford have been making waves this year with their fifth-placed finish at Schools’ Head and their repechage performance at Wallingford Regatta, which put them two seconds off qualifying for the first eight final. Hampton will also definitely be in the mix, fighting for the podium spot that they narrowly missed out on at Schools’ Head. KCS and Latymer will also be ready to try and snatch a spot in the ‘A’ final out from under the noses of any of the crews listed previously and I wouldn’t be surprised if they provided some upsets for us when the time trial results come out.
Predictions
The podium I see happening has to include Eton, St Paul’s and Shiplake. With these three crews’ performances all season it would be hard to predict a concrete order, but I would have to place St Paul’s at the top. Following a strong performance last year (losing by less than a second) and with their first eight leading the charge in 2024, I see their crew taking the gold back to the tideway this year.
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