Aiming for glory is a long and tedious affair, it requires a severe amount of dedication and commitment to push to for a top spot is a very nobel affair. The pinnacle of this dedication can be seen in the championship categories. For many of these crews the end goal of the pursuit this season would be the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta; however for the time being the School’s Head will be challenge enough to see who has taken advantage of the winter training months.
Schools’ Head is the next in line for the Tideway to play host and to once again light up with national level rowing. The course spans from Chiswick Bridge and follows the tide heading upriver past Barnes Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge before making the final push onwards to the finish line just before Putney Road and Rail Bridges. Making the conditions extra tricky is the flooding water that is continuing to flow at a high rate from the areas of the Thames upriver of Teddington Lock.
Of the 24 crews there are 5 favorites predicted to do well based on previous results from the current if not largely cancelled winter season, Reading, Walton, Weybridge to name a few that have suffered the stormy axe. Having only a smaller winter racing period is a tough one for the crews and dealing with complacency in a racing squad is a tough one to overcome however all the crews and clubs have overcome it to face off in the championships class.
Henley RC
The first of the racing crews that have gained attention is Henley Rowing Club. The club is hoping to claim a final win on the closing stages of the winter season. Following the championship quads one of the aims of a budding crew could be Henley Royal Regatta qualifications, a path often walked by Henley Rowing Club who are very experienced in this affair. The Fawley Challenge cup last year saw Henley RC have three crews qualify and saw Henley RC (A) make it to the final only to lose out to Leander (A). During the 4’s Head Henley RC had several entries into the event placing 3rd and 5th in the coxless quads B1 and 6th in the Coxless quads B2. Certainly laying down the gauntlet for everyone else.
Tideway Scullers’ School
The second crew to make themselves known this winter would be the Tideway Sculling School. Similar to Henley RC they are no strangers to Henley Royal Regatta again having sent three crews in last year’s Fawley Cup. Tideway were less fortunate having had all three crews been knocked out in the heats but were able to take down a Henley Rowing club crew with them. Looking back over the winter season they were successful at the Pairs Head where they took a 2nd in the open J18’s Championship doubles which leaves a good impression on the tideway. They returned later on for the Fullers Fours Head to take a 2nd in the Junior Coxless Quads; finishing .8 seconds ahead of Henley Rowing club who came 3rd. Whilst also taking a 19th and 24th in the Junior Coxless Quads B2.
Walton RC
The third club to be making some waves over the winter would be the first club to be sending two racing crews for the School’s head. Racing as both number 65 and 76 in the Championship Quads would be Walton Rowing Club. The club based on the upper reaches of the Thames have been feeling the affects of the flooding. The club made an attempt of Henley Royal last year but were knocked out of the Fawley Challenge by Henley (B) but not before the crew from Walton took out Tideway Scullers (B) in the heats. Walton then made a strong challenge at Pairs Head with 4 results winning the Open J18 senior doubles to match the victory of the Open J18 intermediate pairs. And to complete the trifecta of wins as they took the Open J18 senior pairs. Whilst the club also took 11th in the open J18 senior doubles. Having had a very successful pairs head they also came to the fours head where they emerged victorious in the B2 Junior Quads, while also taking 9th place.
Westminster School
The final club to have made a discernible impact with their winter season is Westminster School. Unlike the other three crews Westminster didn’t make a Henley attempt last year and have instead been focusing on their own regattas and events. Most noticeably at the Quintin head on a different stretch of the tideway saw the school collect three results. Ranking 3rd in the J18 event whilst also competing in the J18 and coming 4th in the J15. Fours Head was also attended by the club where they took a strong win in the Junior B1 Coxless Quads beating Henley, Tideway Scullers and Walton RC in the process.
Looking at the event it’s a very tight call between these 4 club who have all proven themselves over the winter season but it is my guess that out of the 24 crews and 20 clubs these four are the ones to look out for on the race day.
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