As the rivers slowly start to recede across the country, so the head race season resumes. Quintin Head this weekend is the first up and a chance to see how crews are faring in the New Year.
Just like any other year, races will soon come thick and fast and before we know it WEHORR will be upon us. Quintin is an ideal opportunity for clubs to get an early indication of how their crews are shaping up and how they are faring against their competitors.
With almost all clubs affected by the recent floods, there has been little chance to grasp much, if any, water time in the last few weeks. This follows a disrupted period pre-Christmas where the majority of head races were cancelled, thus making this weekend all the more challenging for crews.
This weekend the Women’s Senior Eights features a number of clubs who will likely face off against each other in similar categories later in the season, including various pennants at WEHORR.
Upper Thames
Upper Thames have been heavily affected by the floods, with their boathouse at one point submerged in the Henley stretch. Time they have managed to secure training at Dorney or on the Tideway will have been crucial. Before Christmas they raced at one of the few head races that was not victim to cancellation, Bristol Uni Head, winning this comfortably. With an ever-improving women’s squad they will aim to improve on their 29th place at WEHORR last year, and this weekend will be an important step in doing so.
Vesta
Tideway club Vesta will want to take the win this weekend on their home waters. This looks to be their top boat as they do not have an entry in the Champ category. At WEHORR last year they placed 16th overall, only beaten by bigger clubs and strong university programmes. Their line-up has changed this year but they still had a strong performance at the Remenham Challenge before Christmas, placing second in the Women’s Club division. They will aim to build on this in 2024 as bigger events approach.
University of Bristol
One of the few University crews to enter this weekend’s event, it is great to see the University of Bristol make the trip to the Tideway. This experience can only benefit them as the season progresses, with BUCS Head in just a matter of weeks. At Bristol Uni Head in December they placed second to Upper Thames, and closing this seven-second gap would be a strong step forward. A perennial competitor in the Inter category at BUCS, the more eights head racing they can get under their belts the better.
City of Bristol
City of Bristol are continuing to punch above their weight, routinely going toe to toe with bigger clubs. Their WEHORR result last year was impressive; 33rd overall, the top “Challenge” crew and second Provincial Club. This was followed by a debut in the Wargrave at Henley Royal. This season they will surely aim to keep improving on these results. Before Christmas they placed second in the Inter category at Bristol Uni Head and Quintin Head will be good preparation for WEHORR later in the year.
Other entrants
Other entrants in the Women’s Senior Eights category include Derby, City of Oxford, Wallingford, Marlow, Imperial and Barnes Bridge Ladies. It’s great to see such a high number of entries and mixture of clubs taking part, indicating no enthusiasm has been dampened by the recent appalling weather.
Predictions
It is hard to look past Upper Thames and Vesta taking the top two in this event. Both have the capabilities of producing strong eights. If Upper Thames continues their strong progression they can take advantage of Vesta’s weakened squad, however home water could play a part. Upper Thames to take first place, Vesta second and University of Bristol to have a strong showing in third.
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