image credit @allmarkone
On Saturday, the 8 crews in the WJ16 category will race from just before Hammersmith Bridge to 650m beyond Chiswick Bridge. They will likely use this as experience racing on the Tideway as they prepare for Schools’ Head later this season, as well as to put a marker down in the first race of the New Year. Whilst due to river conditions this winter, many clubs have had limited time on the water, this looks to be a close race based on crews’ results in smaller boats this season and in the 8+ as WJ15s.
Henley RC
Having mainly sculled in races so far this season, placing 4th in the WJ16 4x and notably 1st and 4th in the WJ16 1x at Wallingford LDS, Henley will look to transfer these results as they come together into a larger crew. They have previously shown form in sweep, coming 4th as WJ15s in the 8+ event at National Schools’ Regatta.
Marlow RC
Marlow RC won this event last year, so this crew will be looking to retain the title in their first race in an 8+ this season. Despite not having raced in any sweep events so far this season, they did place 1st in the WJ16 1x as well as 2nd and 3rd in the WJ16 4x at Reading Small Boats Head in October demonstrating the strength and depth within this squad. They also came 3rd in the WJ15 8+ at National Schools’ last season suggesting this crew could be challenging for the win on Saturday.
Headington School
Headington School is one of the few clubs that has managed to get out on the water in the last few weeks, so will have the advantage of having been able to train in their crew for this race. Having placed 6th in the WJ15 8+ event at National Schools’ last season behind some of the other crews racing on Saturday, these girls will look to improve on this result and challenge for the win. They could be one of the more technical crews, having had the chance to train in the boat ahead of this race.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
The LEH boat will be looking to go one better having come second at this race last year. There are few results posted by this squad this season other than competing in WJ16 2x at Reading Small Boats Head where their top boats placed 4th and 5th. As they transition into a sweeping boat, this crew will aim to improve on these results if they are to make the top spots on Saturday.
Surbiton High School BC
It’s been hard to find any results from this squad this season however based off their 5th place finish in the 8+ as WJ15s at National Schools’ last year, they should be competitive with some of the other top crews. Additionally, they will have an idea about the quality of the competition they are up against, having trained with Headington following the cancellation of Kingston Head in November.
Predictions
With limited sweeping results so far this season, and a likely lack of training on the water due to weather conditions this winter, it is fairly hard to call. However, I think Henley, Marlow and Headington will contest the top spots based on strength shown in smaller boats and previous form. It could be a close race, and challenges from Putney High School, racing on their home stretch, and other crews should be expected.
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