As the competition in schoolboy rowing increases year on year, more and more young men are attracted to the sport of rowing; and as some programmes across the country start to realise their third boats have the potential of outperforming some top crews: the newly competitive third eight category is born. This year the six entered crews promise us tantalisingly close timings with new crew combinations for nearly everyone.
Radley College Boat Club
Yet to reveal the true crew formation of this undoubtedly strong boat, Radley have only been seen racing its first and second eights so far this year. Claiming the victory in this event at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta and being the current champions of this event, I am sure we will see Radley on the defensive of these titles – not ready to succumb to Eton just yet.
Eton College Boat Club
Having the only official third eight to race this season gives Eton the biggest advantage of all: experience. With many events being cancelled, Quintin Head way-back in January gave this crew the perfect opportunity to showcase their skills on the Thames. Having that extra race experience as a crew will prove to no-ends beneficial on Monday when they are fighting for the win amongst this stacked draw.
St Paul’s School Boat Club
Like many of these schools, St Paul’s have not launched their third eight into the circuit so far however they are not short of crew options. Having seen both an A and B crew race Quintin Head but not a C crew certainly poses the question that Paul’s could be looking into other age squads to make up this 3rd eight. Looking no further than their own J15 second eight, which beat the timings of not only their J16 second eight but also the Eton third eight, a composite of different age groups could be an unanticipated but not unreasonable move.
Shiplake College Boat Club
The Instagram beloved Shiplake third eight will debut their crew combination next Monday alongside these five other fresh crews. Shiplake are the only school from this draw to attend Wycliffe Big Boats Head this year where they raced four eights, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. With the difference in timings and crew names, I believe these were possible combinations for the third eight racing in the morning division with the first and second eights racing in the afternoon division. Using this theory, I have a safe belief that this crew could be hotly competitive within the third eight category.
Dulwich College Boat Club
While perhaps not as widely recognized as the aforementioned crews, this team is undoubtedly a strong contender. Their second eight consistently competes with Radley and Eton’s second eights, splitting them at Hampton Head so I do not doubt that this is also a strong crew. Dulwich has a track record of success, having previously produced an Olympic medallist in Kieran West, solidifying its position as one of the top schools for rowing.
Prediction
Reigning champions Radley have to be a firm fan favourite going into the event, however that looming threat of the St Paul’s mixed eight could foil their plans to remain there. The fight for third I can see being won by Shiplake with Eton hot and their heels behind and Dulwich finishing just after.
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