Reading is always a fun part of the calendar. For some it’s the step up as they venture into larger regattas, and for others it’s the opportunity to go out there and see what they can do before the final close into Henley. The 1500m Saturday and 1000m Sunday courses offer crews to see how their high race pace and sprint power can hold up. With a two-lane Henley-style knockout competition, Reading is a great regatta to compete at and watch. So how do the crews stack up? I’ve taken the time to look at the crews and see what may come by the end of the weekend’s racing.
Eights
Eton College had a strong presence at last year’s regatta, so without their crews there is room for someone to step up to the gold. In the open category, Shiplake College is a club well known for producing great results and even better rowers. Being one of the best stepping stones into a strong university program, they no doubt will want to be teaching their rowers how to win, and there is no better place for it. They undoubtedly will have something to show, as they have some power and grit behind their strokes. Reading have the home turf advantage, and will be out to defend their home ground, but will they have to put in a shift if they want to take gold. In the school category, Shiplake once again have a crew entered, with their biggest competition this time coming from Radley. Both crews have an itch to win, with Shiplake being a bit more successful in recent years. But with their low presence this season, it could be time for tables to turn. In the school/junior category there are also entries from Latymer, Kew House and Norwich. This could be a real chance to get a feel for the competition ahead of the ever-exciting Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal as all of these crews will be undoubtedly looking to make a few rounds. The Sunday presents us with a different bag of crews for the open eights. A small entry field, the competition will likely be between University College London and the Army. While University College have more experience with training on a stretch that works well for the 1000m race, you cannot ignore the power the Army may have. A close finish will definitely be in this race, making it one to watch!
Coxed Fours
Much like the eights, Eton have ruled over this event previously. Taking home both the open and J16 wins with a two length margin, their lack of entries will be sure to give way to an interesting race. The open event on Saturday sees two crews from Southampton University and University of Birmingham go head to head. Will it be an A vs B race, or will University of Birmingham prevail? On Sunday there is a bigger field in the open category, and Reading have a crew entered, with the home advantage I would say they will be looking ready for the win this weekend. Both crews will be wanting that last bit of glory before their season ends, so expect to see a big fight for gold. The J16 category sees Shiplake College take on Wallingford and Pangbourne College. Each crew have their own strength, Shiplake have the history while Wallingford have the long river stretch. Some intense rowing will take place for sure, and it may be a battle of who is willing to hold on the longest.
Coxless Fours
Radley comes in strong with two crews here, wanting to take gold over University of Birmingham. With neither crews winning at last years event, we may see new faces to the podium. Both clubs bring in good numbers to this event, but with two Radley boats entered there may some strength in this boat class that University of Birmingham don’t posses. What may be seen is a battle of the strength of numbers against the strength of age. A fierce fight for first will definitely make this final one to keep an eye out for…
Coxless Pairs
University of Birmingham won this event last year with a verdict of ‘easily’, and so have a lot to defend. Their biggest competition on Saturday may come from Norwich School, who have entered two crews. With the pairs being much more about how well you can row, not just individually but together, this event may see some crews win by their ability to work well together and steer a good course. A tricky boat to master, this can really show the prowess of the athletes. University of Birmingham will want to retain that title so I’m sure they have trained well for it, but with two crews Norwich clearly are confident about something, so who will come out on top?
Predictions
The eights are a tough one to call. The Saturday open events look to be dominated by Shiplake and I think the results will reflect that, with the Sunday sprint being taken by University College. The coxed fours is a heavy boat and so takes good crews to row it well, but strong crews to win at this course length, so the open event looks to be favourited by Southampton University with the J16 taken by Shiplake. To win the coxless fours it will take a clean, supportive crew who respond well to each other. It’ll take a crew with the best lineup possible to claim gold, and the club size of Radley may help them get exactly that to take gold. Retention is the aim of the game for University of Birmingham in the coxless pairs, and is exactly what they’ll do. They will see tough competition along the way, but their experience with this event and thirst for gold will help them keep what they won so well last year.
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