With less than three weeks till the National Schools’ Regatta, any six-lane racing experience will be greatly valuable for those looking to perform at Dorney. Due to a lack of entries, this event is a straight final, with the crews arguably split into two distinct categories when it comes to speed. Nonetheless, expect a close race on Saturday between the top contendors
Shiplake
4th place finishers at Schools’ Head and stroked by Rob Humphris – who performed impressively in the J18 February Sculling trials, Shiplake are one of my two favourites to pick up the gold in this race. They were bridesmaids to Westminster at Quintin Head but fell slightly off the pace at last week’s Wallingford Regatta, missing the chance to nab a podium spot and finishing in fourth, three seconds behind a St Edwards crew which they had the measure of during the head season – though they did also race in fours that day. Only a matter of weeks are left for Shiplake to find the speed required of them, but the margins are tight, and it is very possible
St Edwards
It’s fair to say that St Edwards has an impressive pedigree when it comes to rowing. However, they’ve struggled to crack the uppermost echelons of the leaderboards in recent years – evidenced by their conspicuous lack of a J18 VIII at Schools’ Head this year. However, their J16s have been in fine form, and appear to be getting even faster. 5th and 6th place finishes at Quintin Head and Schools’ Head respectively were bolstered by an impressive 3rd place finish at Wallingford Regatta, in which they dominated their heat before losing out to Eton and Westminster, neither of whom are racing at Nottingham City. Teddies will want nothing less than a gold medal on Saturday to boost their confidence in the run up to NSR.
Shrewsbury School
Another school with a long history in the sport, Shrewsbury’s J16s haven’t quite matched the success of their Senior Eights so far this season, 7th and 8th at Quintin Head and Schools’ Head, they are just off the pace of the likes of Shiplake and St Edwards. However, from what I can find, they have yet to make an appearance in Regatta season and they will have undoubtedly been on a training camp somewhere this Easter. These weeks abroad can prove the difference between victory and defeat in the summer and Shrewsbury certainly could have narrowed the gap between them and the top. Especially with the weight of their Boat Club’s reputation behind them.J
Judging from recent results this season, Monmouth School and St George’s College are neck and neck. With just 0.4 seconds separating them in J16 First VIIIs at Schools’ Head, and with one not racing 8s at Wallingford and the other not doing particularly well, it will be hard to tell who will come out on top. However, St George’s raced in fours at Wallingford and finished a commendable 5th behind some top-level opposition, and this may prove the decisive factor between the two crews. However, right now it’s too close to call.
Hampton School also has an entry in this category, however, they could only manage a 10th place finish in J16 Champs VIIIs at Schools’ Head, slower on time than Monmouth and St George’s in the J16 First VIII category. They chose not to race at Wallingford so one cannot be sure if they have gained speed over Easter, but it would have to be a significant change to compete with the likes of Shiplake and St Edwards, so I remain skeptical
Prediction
Ironically, despite the few entries in this event, it is a challenging one to call. I think St Edwards will carry on their recent run of form and just have enough to edge out Shiplake, who should finish in second. Shrewsbury should take the third-place spot, with the other three crews comfortably behind the top three.
TidewaySweeper
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