Following the cancellation of Vesta Scullers Head, over 400 eager crews await this year’s Pairs Head of the River Race. The competition looks feisty this weekend as the 4.5km stretch of the Thames is expecting familiar and new athletes to storm down the course. With 13 crews entered in the Women’s Junior 16 Double Sculls, I look forward to seeing who takes the podium spots.
City of Bristol Rowing Club
There are three City of Bristol crews that will take to the Tideway, who have proven themselves successful over the past season with consistent and impressive results at National School’s Regatta with eighth place in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls and fourth in this category’s second-boat race. Later in the sesaon we saw ninth and 12th place at the British Rowing Junior Championships in the Women’s Junior 15 doubles, out of over 90 entries. The Bristol juniors are in the running to claim the first-place spot this weekend and will surely want to make a solid start to the new season.
Cantabrigian Rowing Club
Situated on the Cam, Cantabrigian Rowing Club is home to an ambitious and supportive junior section. This crew similarly had a triumphant summer as they took the victory in the Women’s Junior 15 Doubles at the British Rowing Junior Championships, proving to be an outstanding pair to watch this coming season and this weekend. There is a high chance that these young rowers could convert their sprint success into a victory over a longer distance.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
A well-renowned name in the pool of junior rowing talent, Headington School often produces crews that row themselves to a high level of performance at large national events. At the National Schools’ Regatta in May, this duo was part of a quad that took a well-earned third position in the Women’s Coxed Quad, displaying the talent that could steer them to possible success among their opponents.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
In their Junior 15 season, Barn Elms juniors showed their strength in the sweep boats by swiftly placing seventh in the Women’s Junior 15 Coxed Four at National Schools’ Regatta, so they will surely be looking to convert their success into a win in the double sculls. As a club based on the Tideway, these juniors should have a slight advantage due to familiar waters. However, all will be proven on race day.
Prediction
After consideration, I think that the winners of the Women’s Junior 16 doubles will be Cantabrigian Rowing Club, followed by the City of Bristol Rowing Club hot on their heels, closely in front of Headington School Oxford Boat Club, and Barn Elms Rowing Club. There seems to be a promising bunch of talented young rowers, so the Tideway should expect a tough battle between them all.
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