Emerging from the darkest days of winter, Quintin Head marks the commencement of racing in 2023. With both Schools’ and Women’s Heads of the River fast approaching, this event offers a first look at how the gruelling hours of winter training have started to shape this year’s top junior athletes. It will give us a clue about what to expect for the rest of the season as well as giving the athletes practice on this notoriously challenging stretch of the Thames.
Henley Rowing Club
It is no surprise that the young women from Henley are a formidable threat to any competitors, entering two eights in this year’s event. Having dominated all the junior events at Fours Head last November, it’s reasonable to assume that these dedicated athletes have used the winter season to further capitalise on their penchant for victory.
Surbiton High School
With a strong showing in both the coxed fours, coming 6th, and coxless fours, coming 3rd at Fours Head, Surbiton continues to show the strength and consistency of their young athletes and their rowing programme having one of the largest junior women programmes on the circuit. This event will show if they have made the crucial step in both their winter and eights training in order to challenge the likes of Henley and their long-established reputation.
Headington School
Having not competed in Four’s Head back in December, as often they do, the Headington programme remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. However, we can likely count on the fact on that this year’s group of girls will be just as fast and strong as last year’s Headington cohort, of which came 3rd by a second at this event last year. As they gear up for the bigger head races of the season like Schools’ Head, this Quintin Head proves an important mark to see how far this crew can rise against their opposition down the course.
Lady Eleanor Holles
Much like Surbiton, the girls from LEH had a strong consistent showing at Fours Head. It seems that their squad has the depth to put up a real challenge this year against their oposition. Quintin will act as the event to test their ability as a cohesive unit to solidify their place as a crew to watch this year.
Aside from the aforementioned crews, the rest of the field will prove to be a competitive pack, with Wimbledon High School, Emanuel School, Latymer Upper, Kew House School, and St Paul’s Girls’ School all entering 2 crews respectively, showing the strength of this year’s J18 girls circuit. Other Schools in the mix last year such as St Edward’s School and Putney High School are back again this year, leaving it hard to rule anyone out for the podium positions
Prediction
All in all, Henley seems the crew to beat in the Junoir Women’s eights event, but with other crews like Surbiton and Headington likely to put up a hard fight for the victory, only time will tell if Henley will defeat the other 22 crews to defend their Quintin Head title for the 2023 edition.
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