The Schools’ Head of the River Race (SHORR) is the pinnacle eight’s head race. It is held along a 4.5 mile course from Chiswick to Putney. With JW15 events being cancelled in 2019, this year’s Schools’ Head will likely be the first time these athletes will have raced at the event. This, combined with the Tideway’s tricky conditions, means that this year’s race promises to be an exciting one.
Henley Rowing Club (Y Lakatos)
Henley have had a brilliant season so far. They’ve had wins in the eight at Wallingford Fours and Eights Head, Quintin Head, Henley Fours and Eights Head and most recently, Hammersmith Head. They also won three pennants at Fours Head, which is on the same course as Schools’ Head, with a one-two in the coxed four. This means that it is highly likely that at least four of the athletes in Henley’s second eight won an event at Fours Head. They are probably the crew to look out for and I am sure that many people are expecting them to win on Monday.
Wimbledon High School Boat Club (J Bryden)
Henley may not have it all their own way though on Monday as I think Wimbledon will push them hard. At the most recent event, Hammersmith Head, Wimbledon were only just over eight seconds slower than Henley. WHSBC is a program that is certainly on the rise, placing second and first respectively in the JW16 first and second eights at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta. With new coaches for the senior squad this year, it will be interesting to see how this program evolves and where they place at Schools’ Head.
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club (C Crocker)
Lady Eleanor Holles have had a bit of an up and down season. They placed first and second in the quad at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls but since then they have had mixed results. At Fours Head, their coxless four placed second but their two fours were seventh and ninth, almost a minute down on Henley’s winning crew. They raced two eights and Wallingford Fours & Eights Head, placing fifth and seventh. Winning at Schools’ Head would be an excellent way to finish off the head season for them and they have, historically, been good at head racing.
Tideway Scullers School (F Howard)
Tideway have also had a bit of a mixed season. They had some great results at Fours Head, with their coxed four placing third, less than ten seconds behind Henley, and their quad placing eighth in a tight field. However, at the most recent event, Hammersmith Head, their eight placed tenth, behind both Henley and Wimbledon. It will be interesting to see if they can turn that around. They also have the advantage of training on the course.
Prediction
This year’s junior women’s second eight event at Schools’ Head seems to be between Henley and Wimbledon, with LEH and Tideway potentially causing an upset. Overall, I think Henley will emerge victorious.
Steady Steight
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