As Quintin Head nears this weekend, the long-awaited Eight’s Head Racing season has arrived. With few events so far this year in this boat class to compare to, there is definitely an aspect of mystery in how the results will play out down the track. With rapid conditions, including a strong stream and tailwind we can look forward to a fast and interesting race this Sunday.
St. Paul’s School Boat Club
A boat club known for its recent success, its J16s are certainly a crew to look out for. The same eight in the J15 NSR final last year that was only a second behind its own J16 crew show great promise, however, due to the cancellation of Wallingford Head, this crew hasn’t gained as much racing experience as they would have hoped, making them very much unknowns coming into this weekend. With high expectations, there will be a strong determination to lay down a win early in the season on familiar waters.
Radley College Boat Club
Much like the St Paul’s crew, there has been little indication of this Radley crew’s speed in the current J16 season, however, following their resounding success at NSR last year it would be foolish to rule them out. It would be surprising not to see a strong performance from the boys in red this weekend.
Eton College
Eton College is a club known for its rowing history and success in the sport. Their J16 crew will be a relatively unknown variable coming into Quintin. With little experience racing on the Tideway, it will be interesting to see how this crew perform, especially in the quick conditions. I’m sure they will be looking to establish themselves early, especially on the Championship Course that they are going to encounter later in the season.
Westminster Boat Club
Similar to St. Paul’s, Westminster are rowing on their home stretch, and being used to the harsh conditions of the river it would be unsurprising to see them lay down a strong performance on Sunday. They are certainly in the mix, especially with the home advantage. Much like the others, there is little evidence of their ability at the moment due to a quiet season so far.
King’s College Boat Club
King’s College has certainly upped their game in the last year, with their first eight making it to the Saturday of the P.E. last year, therefore it is unsurprising that their J16 crew seem to be good contenders this year. Having taken a win at Teddington Head last term, beating Eton by a margin, it would be safe to assume that they are going to challenge the likes of St Paul’s and Radley this weekend.
Prediction
This weekend is certainly looking to be interesting with the conditions at the moment where it is arguably safe to predict St. Paul’s in first followed by Radley and King’s. Eton and Westminster, and other crews such as Latymer, Dulwich and St. Edward’s, are all competing for fourth.
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