This event, Quintin Head, marks the beginning of eights season on the Tideway, with a variety of fixtures and other races both here and elsewhere all leading up to the men’s and women’s heads in March. For many universities, January has been dominated by exams, and for every club, they will have been apart for some time over the festive period. With this behind us now Quintin Head serves as an opportunity to take stock and assess each club or crews’ position with about six weeks – give or take – until the fruits of winter will be laid bare.
In the blue ribband event for men, the Championship category (for there are only eights at Quintin), some of the country’s leading clubs are featured.
Leander Club
Starting with the crew who will actually be going off last in the start order, the key to the success of this crew is probably the crew itself. Many athletes at Leander will presumably be training for the next set of GB trials in early February, and may therefore not be competing in the big boats until that is over. The women’s squad are bringing a development crew to Quintin Head and if it’s the same for the men then their odds massively shift.
However, let us not underestimate the pink palace, any set Leander athletes will form a strong crew and providing the crew is not disadvantaged too much by starting at the back of the order, they are capable of placing towards the top of the event.
Thames RC
The local powerhouse that is Thames stands out as one of the crews best placed to take the headship, certainly among the club crews. With such a strong recent record and intimate knowledge of the rivers twists and turns you’d be a fool to best against them. After being overturned by Molesey at the Remenham Challenge, however, Thames have shown that they can be beaten, and some of their competitors will have their eyes fixed on Thames as a potential scalp to take.
University of London BC
Probably the main other contender to take the win in this event is UL, who maintain their upwards trajectory since the appointment of their new head coach. The men’s crews have eclipsed the performances of the local rivals Imperial College and sparring in events like this with strong competitors in Thames and Leander put UL in a fantastic position.
St. Paul’s School BC
A singular junior entrant into this event though unsurprisingly, St. Paul’s have often opted to ‘race up’ at these smaller races, seeking competition to match their own lofty ambitions. Sitting as firmly the top school in the country after once again winning the PE in 2022, St. Paul’s are without doubt capable of playing with the big boys and putting some far older and more experienced rowers to shame. Going off third puts them in a very good position for this event, a position they will presumably be in at their main race of the head season, Schools’ Head.
Prediction
As alluded to above, the category win and (likely) the overall headship is between Thames and University of London. Club versus university, these two don’t directly compete against each other at any of the most important events but at Quintin Head the rivalry will be fascinating to watch. I think UL will take it but it will be close.
The other crews mentioned in Leander and St. Paul’s should place well, with other Tideway locals in Vesta, London and Imperial College all vying for places in the top half of the category.
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