I may never be dry again. No, but seriously – when it comes down in this godforsaken country, it pours. From the moment I emerged from Putney station, buoyed by a sense of optimism at the culmination of the head racing season, the term ‘rain on my parade’ never felt more appropriate. As grey clouds skidded across a washed skyline, and the deep green struts of Hammersmith Bridge flickered in and out of view amidst sweeping sheets of rain, hundreds of junior athletes took to the water to demonstrate what months of training amounted to. Let’s dive in and unpack the stats…
Championship Boys Eights
There’s something about Tideway water and Dave Currie. A magnetism, a synergy, an insurmountable ability to overcome anything together. Shiplake College’s win today – by over 13 seconds – was the largest such margin since the 2018 St Paul’s cohort, who swept all before them in one of the great junior seasons. Even over four miles, 13 seconds is a sizeable advantage and puts Shiplake and first eight coach Hugh Mackworth-Praed in the best position they’ve arguably ever been in approaching the summer season. It’s truly remarkable to think this boat club were a First Eight regular a decade ago and now approach nearly every head racing event as a shoo-in for the championship win. Behind them, Radley put in a really promising performance to finish second overall whilst St Paul’s, who also always get faster as the season progresses, were third. And so, we find ourselves at a critical juncture asking that age-old question – can Shiplake sustain their triple charge into the sunnier season? 2023 is as strong as I’ve ever seen them – this might yet be their year.
Championship Girls Eights
The duopoly is broken. Finally, Henley and Headington relinquish the title they’ve been batting back and forth for the past decade. Step up – Wycliffe. Greg Flower’s charges have been threatening all-out-assault on the summit for a couple of seasons now but today is their most aggressive statement yet that they’re here to stay. Stroked by junior international Ella Fullman, their attention will now turn to regatta racing and whether they stick or twist with the eight – how deep is their crew and does the engine lie in four or eight sets of legs? Henley and Headington, who rounded out the top three, will be back with a vengeance, particularly the former who are desperately seeking their first win at Henley Royal Regatta since the inception of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup in 2012.
Championship Boys Quads
Leander came, Leander saw, Leander conquered. Over 2000 years since the man who first uttered that immortal phrase was brutally assassinated by his own senators, Leander paid homage to his memory with an utterly merciless performance on the Thames which puts them firmly in the driving seat for a tilt at national glory over shorter courses. Windsor Boys, who were consummate in their domination of this category last season, had to make do with a lowly 17th-placed finish as Marlow – whose exploits in female sculling I’ll cover shortly – finished second and Sir William Borlase won the bronze. It feels particularly poignant to see SWB back playing with the big boys after the untimely passing of former coach Robin Dowell.
Championship Girls Quads
The rivalry between Marlow and Shiplake for ultimate schoolgirl sculling supremacy burns long into the night. Their jostling for position at the summit has been one of the most fascinating narratives to develop over the past few seasons, albeit neither will have been impressed to not feature in the final of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup in 2022. Marlow came out on top today by the slimmest of margins (0.8 seconds) to wrest the crown from Shiplake and set us all up for a Dorney Lake reducer before the showdown on Henley waters. Don’t discount the mercurial talents of Tideway Scullers School, who know how to move a quad when it matters. They were four seconds back and will surely close this gap.
Championship 16 Boys Eights
Although it wasn’t to be for Bobby and his boys at J18 level, their performance in the J16 cohort will surely be cause for satisfaction in the St Paul’s camp. They won the category by nearly six seconds on home water, a result which if sustained will give them optionality approaching Henley Royal Regatta. Eton came home in second place, some eight seconds clear of Hampton in third.
Championship 16 Girls Eights
Perhaps the most surprising component of this field was its absenteeism; no Henley or Headington for the first time in a while. You can only beat what is put in front of you though and that is what Surbiton did, finishing top of the pile by six seconds. With both of the aforementioned likely to reassemble for the summer, it will be interesting to see how and where Surbiton choose to pool their resources.
School Boys First Eights
This was a runaway two-part train; Bedford School and St Joseph College, Ireland were nearly 30 seconds ahead of everyone else in their peer group. In the end, it was domestic interest that emerged on top with Pete Mulkerrin’s troops winning by just under four seconds. This was Bedford’s first victory in this category since 2018 and puts them firmly on the map for a tilt at ‘A’ final representation in Championship Eights at the National Schools’ Regatta. The last time they won this category, they made the Friday of Henley Royal Regatta. Let’s see what 2023 has in store.
School Girls First Eights
A solid victory for St Paul’s Girls School, who triumphed by nine seconds in a 17-boat field. Home advantage certainly plays a profound role at the Schools’ Head of the River and there’s no doubting that SPSGBC’s superior course knowledge may have earned them an extra second or two. Even with that caveat in mind, the margin was resounding and the path bright for summer expansion.
About The Author
