The pinnacle of head racing will take place at Dorney Lake on Monday 20th March, with over 70 crews battling it out for one win, it guarantees thrilling racing. With the weather looking better than last year, the crews can enjoy the level of competition and racing taking place.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
Moving back to sculling from eights, Surbiton is back and ready to win. Having not competed in the quads last year it will be difficult to measure against some of the established crews. However, based on the fact they are starting first, we can assume this is a strong quad who will fight to remain first. After picking up some strong wins throughout winter head season, they will be in the fight to dominate on Monday.
Henley Rowing Club
The defending champions are back, chasing Surbiton down the Olympic course of Dorney Lake. Picking up a few wins throughout head season, notably at Wycliffe Small Boats Head and a second-place finish at Henley Fours and Eights Head, these girls will want to be back to winning form.
Sir William Borlase’s Gram School Boat Club
Having not been seen over the winter period as frequently as their opposition, this was a surprising entry to see for me. In one of the first heads of the season, Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, their quad won over the long course against crews like Henley and Maidenhead making themselves known as a threat. At the National Schools Regatta last year, their octo narrowly missed out of medals meaning they will be back for more this time around.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Placing second and ninth here last year, we can ensure Maidenhead will come in with a strong campaign for medals. Having also placed second at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, the course length will be no issue for this crew as they have proved time again they have the stamina to last. Placing third in the quads at National Championships last year and seventh in the doubles, this club obviously have a full and widely talented squad.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Having had a majorly successful winter season, These girls will want to finish Head season on a high and definitely with another medal around their necks. A strong race from them last year saw them place fourth, and with winter training improvements I can see them climbing the ranks to possibly steal the win. I think this crew should be confident heading into this race and with a good plan, confident for a top spot.
Gloucester Rowing Club
A surprise entry and perhaps not one on many threat lists for this season, however I believe this quad could pose an obstacle to many clubs medal campaigns on Monday. A non-existent quad last year, but a third place doubles finish at the British Rowing Junior Championships behind two of the most powerful pairings I have seen in competition, suggests hard work and determination. I look forward to watching them race this week and seeing how they develop as a quad over the season.
Also keep an eye out for, Kingston Rowing Club with a fifth-place finish here last year. Barn Elms Rowing Club with 13th place here last year and a twelfth place Nat Schools Campaign. Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club with an eighth place finish at the scullery last year and an eleventh place Nat Schools Finish.
Prediction
For some of these crews this race is straight off the back of Schools Head of the River, where many of the above crews are racing in eights. This could set back some training plans, but with recent weather and flooded rivers, many training plans have been thrown out. Int the running for first I can clearly picture Surbiton High school and Sir William Borlase battling it out. In the running for second are Henley, Maidenhead and Headington with perhaps Maidenhead having the edge by not racing at Schools’ Head. Coming in third, will be a battle of whoever is left out of the top medal spots, most likely Henley or Sir William Borlase. Whatever the results, this race promises close timings and a great number of crews having a shot at the win
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