Reading Small Boats 2014- WJ18 Preview

W.J18.4X

KGS’s girls quad performed fantastically last year, not only winning this even but being faster than all of the W.IM2.4X event. Having performed well this year at Henley Women’s in the Junior Women’s double sculls and Henley Royal in this quad, they should be aiming for a very fast time this weekend, similar if not faster than the W.IM1.4X event’s times.

W.J18.2X

With four entries in this event, it should be close. The fastest competitors are likely to be Headington’s double, with Georgie King-Smith having reached the Nat School’s Regatta JW17 1x final, demonstrating her sculling prowess. This will be backed up by Headinton’s excellent performance last year at this regatta in the W.J18.2x’s, winning in an impressive time of 15:02.84. However Reading Blue Coat’s double will also be strong, with one member having reached the semi-final at Nat School’s in the CHG4+. St Edwards School’s double should be fairly fast, having competed in the CHG8+ at Nat Schools and are likely to make the race interesting for the crews around them. I think that Headington will lead the race, with Reading Blue Coat’s School and St Edward’s school fighting for second.

W.J18.1X

This year, Headington have a rather small contingent in this event in comparison to last year. The girls entered are some of the youngest competitors in this event, and are only just JW16. The largest amount of entries this year are from Sir William Perkin’s, with four of these girls having competed in the Girl’s Champ 8+ final at Nat Schools, they are likely to be leading the race from the start. Their main challengers will be Reading’s single entry, having demonstrated her ability in a single at Nat Schools, coming first place in tricky conditions. Although she is now just a J16 this year, she will be a main rival for most of the girls in this event due to her skill in a single. Another couple to watch will be the Giambrone sisters, who have recently moved from Walton to Pangbourne. They have had a series of cracking sculling achievements through the years so I expect a strong performance from them. I predict a SWP’s win, but I do expect Annabel Stevens to be high in the rankings.

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Tom Morgan

Tom is the Founder of JRN. He has been creating content around rowing for over a decade and has been fortunate enough to witness some of the greatest athletes and races to ever grace our sport.

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