The Tideway is due to play host to Quintin Head this weekend after it being missing from the domestic rowing calendar for the last two years due to COVID-19. The first major head race of 2022, the UK’s top clubs and university eights crews will be looking to get their eye in for Head of the River which is less than two months away.
Oxford University
‘Isis’, the OUBC second eight claimed the Open Senior Eights pennant at Quintin Head back in 2020, a crew made up of athletes battling for a seat in the Oxford Blue Boat at the highly prestigious Boat Race. They have one entry in this category, but what remains to be seen is who is in this crew. It’s unlikely to be their Blue Boat athletes, as they would surely be in Championship. Regardless, their training pieces on the Tideway preparing for Boat Race will put them in good stead for Quintin which also takes place on the same infamous stretch of river. Based on previous results as well as a strong showing at Wallingford Head last year, Isis have to be the favourites heading into this event this year.
Thames
A well-established club with a rich history of rowing success, Thames has two entries in this category, along with their three in Championship. As these crews are a little way down the pecking order, their performance here will be a real indicator of the club’s depth this season. As a Tideway giant, Thames will be hoping to put a decent marker down now ahead of the Head of the River Race and Henley Royal.
University of Bristol
Placing third in this category back in 2020, Bristol are another programme that’s gone from strength to strength in recent years, reaching the semi-final of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup last year at Henley Royal Regatta. Quintin will be a real test for Bristol as they attempt to carry this momentum into 2022 as they continue to build their ever growing programme.
Vesta
Another Tideway stalwart, Vesta have opted to enter their top boat in this event. Pitting their top athletes against those entered by their rivals in the Senior event, is this tactical to try and get a pennant or just a reflection of the club’s ambition?
St Paul’s
Interestingly, St Paul’s have entered this category when they might have held their own in Championship, indeed KCS opted that way. There are whispers that they have some phenomenal talent brewing in the younger age groups that are already starting to make steps towards the senior squad, so it may not be long before we see a St Paul’s crew that could rival the extraordinary 2018 crew that broke the PE record at Henley by eleven seconds.
Prediction
This is harder to call than the Championship category, with various clubs’ form not being clear and first boats going up against second/third/fourth boats from the likes of Thames and Oxford Brookes. My prediction for the top three is Thames, Oxford (provided they have brought a contingent of their Boat Race squad), and Bristol.
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