One of the things that I love about Women’s Eights Head of The River Race is that, much like Henley later in the year, we get the chance to watch overseas crews race against one another away from their home clubs. This year, there are only three overseas crews at WEHoRR; National University of Ireland Galway BC, Shandon BC and Aviron Centrale Supélee Paris.
National University of Ireland Galway BC
The National University of Ireland, Galway, are clearly the crew to watch for the Overseas Pennant this year at WEHoRR. For those who might not know the club all too well, NUI Galway has a recent and tangible legacy of success, having housed two of the four athletes that won bronze at Tokyo 2020 in the Women’s Four. NUI Galway’s performance this season has been strong, having won the Women’s Intermediate Eights at Shandon BC Head of The River by six seconds, beating the famous Skibbereen RC among other clubs from around the country. Moreover, NUI Galway’s Intermediate Eights crew secured fastest women’s eight of the day, positioning them as serious competitors going into this division.
Shandon BC
Coming third in the Women’s Intermediate Eights at Shandon Boat Club Head of The River, Shandon BC are not to be overlooked. Finishing a minute and a half behind NUI Galway at Shandon Head in late January, it will be interesting to see if the additional 2300 metres that the WEHoRR course offers will allow Shandon BC the chance to catch up with NUI Galway, or if their positions will remain the same.
Aviron Centrale Supélee Paris
With little information available about this club, Aviron Centrale Supélee Paris could be the surprise dark horse of the division. It’s clear that their season has been strong from the get-go, having won the women’s eights at Triathlon de L’Essec in November, setting the fastest women’s time for the entire day.
Prediction
Overall, it’s unclear as to what exactly the outcome of the Overseas Pennant will be however, I think it’s likely that NUI Galway will be somewhere near the top of the division. Regardless, I’m really excited to see how the overseas crews will race as they return to the Tideway once again.
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