On the 25th of March seven Junior 16 girl’s championship eights will take to the Tideway to race an impressive 6.8km over the historic course. With last year’s podium all returning for another crack at winter glory, we can expect fireworks in this most competitive of age groups.
Latymer Upper School
The crew from Latymer Upper School will be the first of the eights to set off. This crew had a successful Junior 15 season with impressive racing. Most notably, this crew finished fifth at the National Schools Regatta in the women’s junior 15 eights. Setting off first – and racing as title holders – will hopefully give this crew the psychological boost they need to take first place on the Tideway.
Henley Rowing Club
With the challenge to hunt down Latymer, Henley Rowing Club will surely be a force to be reckoned with on the Tideway next week. This year, they have already medalled at Hammersmith Head, placing in second place. I think this year’s earlier success could put them ahead of some of the other crews in this category. Reflecting on heritage, Henley generally always performs well in this age group and were national champions as J15s ten months ago. Sat between Latymer and Headington – two of their chiefest rivals – their motivation on Tuesday will be clear.
Headington School
Royalty in junior women’s rowing, Headington punches hard every season, and their Junior 16 conveyor belt is critical to developing talent for a tilt at senior titles down the line. They won the junior 16 quad title at Hammersmith Head and jump into the eight next week to unseat the frontrunners. They’re not always as decisive at Junior 16 level but if they can make the most of their starting grid – sandwiched between Henley and Surbiton – they’ll be competitive.
Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School (setting off fourth) will be hot on the heels of Henley Rowing Club and Latymer Upper School. After a highly competitive season in which Surbition came second to Henley at the National Schools’ Regatta, the girls in green will aim to subvert the ranking order. They were third at Quintin Head and then won their category at Hammersmith Head. With a head of steam building into next week, expect this crew to arrive in fine form.
Predictions
I believe that the crew that will take gold is Latymer Upper School after their astonishing Junior 15 season landed them a podium at the National Schools’ Regatta. For second place, I think the racing will be incredibly close, with Henley Rowing Club just beating Surbiton High School to the silver medal.
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