Forming one of the three races to complete a rowing ‘triple’ to crown an undeafted junior VIII – the others being National Schools’ Regatta and HWRR or HRR – SHoRR is seen by many as the pinnacle of the winter season. Completed across the full 4.5 mile Championship Course, with crews often subject to adverse conditions, it truly is a test of mettle and training. And it’s one which everyone wants to win.
Henley Rowing Club
Being first in the start order brings the expectation to finish first – to which HRC are sure to deliver if they round off this winter season in the same vain as the countless victories won throughout. Their list of triumphs most notably boasts Wallingford Head and Quintin Head in various line-ups of their WJ16 1st VIII, only the best of which will have been hand-picked for SHoRR. It is no doubt that HRC remain the favourites for this event, but the Tideway, with its treacherous conditions, holds the cards and ultimately controls where they fall.
Surbiton High School
Consistently managing to close the gap to Henley throughout the year is no small feat, but one that can be accredited to SHSBC. With their 1st VIII coming second at Quintin Head by 4.5 seconds and narrowing the margin to a mere 0.54 seconds at Hampton Head, SBH are snapping at the heels of the Henley crew and may be able to take a bite out of their time at SHoRR.
Headington School
Off the back of claiming the inaugural Prince Philip Challenge Cup in August of last year, this Headington unit are something of an unknown quantity. What we can bank on is that these girls will have trained quietly and will race explosively. Having had a relatively passive winter season in terms of races, HSBC have been making the most of their miles as shown in the results of Kingston Small Boat’s Head, where they entered a fleet of singles racing solely against SHSBC, the best of whom finished fourth by 1 minute and 48 seconds.
Other entries
Other notable names in this category are Putney High School Boat Club who benefit from a home ground advantage. They are joined by boats from LEH, Wallingford Rowing Club, Aberdeen Schools RA and Cantabrigian RC.
Prediction
It seems that Westminster School have made their own predictions whilst organising the start-order, with Henley being first followed by Surbiton and then Headington. These are well aligned with the general expecatations for the outcome of the race, but with all crews pushing to their max in one of the most important heads’ races of the season, there is definite capacity for an upset.
Britney Steers
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