During the winter months, all the attention typically spans south of the Scottish border towards the terrifying Tideway. However, it is far from the truth to say that exciting, fast, and high-calibre racing cannot occur north of the border. The Clydesdale Scullers Head is one of the oldest races to appear annually in Scotland. Beginning in 1967, it was one of the most popular events on the calendar, with some of the largest names in both Scottish and British rowing frequently attending the head race. This made for some of the tightest racing that domestic scullers had all season. Since the race began, a few names have stood out year after year in the record books, in particular George Parsonage (the first winner of the Clydesdale Scullers Head), who has competed at the regatta every year since 1967. In addition, William Brown and Martin Holmes have both won the event at least four times each, and in recent years have continued to challenge for the trophy. All three of these scullers will compete in the masters single sculls event this Saturday.
Due to the slimming attendance in the early 2000’s the organisers of the event changed the format in 2007 from a solely single sculling event, to a joint single and double sculls event held over two different divisions. Although in recent years the head race has taken a slightly quieter turn, the prestige and history of this event is sure to increase participation in the coming years.
Division One (Single Sculls)
Open and Junior Single Sculls
A small entry in this field doesn’t necessarily mean poor racing. When looking down this list of scullers, one name stands out from the rest: Ben Parsonage. With a rich family history in single sculling, coming from his father, George Parsonage, it’s very difficult to see an alternative winner for the event. From winning last year’s Clydesdale Scullers Head to qualifying for the Diamond Challenge Sculls, there is not much that this sculler hasn’t completed; surely he will come home victorious once again. My eyes will definitely be watching Parsonage closely as he competes throughout this season. Although Parsonage is likely to come away with the win, second place is most definitely up for grabs. Robbie Waddell and Ashley Cowley are two fairly similarly matched scullers from Glasgow University Boat Club and Newark Rowing Club respectively. Both Waddell and Cowley are likely to push each other on throughout the race which could turn a second place finish into first place if something goes wrong for Parsonage.
In the Junior category, a much tighter field of only 3 scullers will fight for one medal. Jamie Gibbons of The Glasgow Academy Boat Club , Thomas Lowrie of Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club and Stirling Rowing Club’s Andrew Waddell will be the contenders for the top spot. Jamie and Thomas are well trained on the River Clyde and I think that this experience down the course will stand them in good stead to come out first and second ahead of Waddell. My prediction is that Lowrie will take top spot following his second place last year, with Gibbons close behind.
Women’s and Junior Women’s Single Sculls
With only six entries into the Women’s and Junior Women’s singles event, it’s between Vohnikova of Strathclyde University Boat Club and Mortimer of Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club in the senior event. Vohnikova has been on good form recently with strong results at the Czech and Scottish Championships. This could well and truly be her race to win, however, Nina Mortimer is a long term enjoyer of the River Clyde so I think that with the correct line and pacing, we could see a nail-biting time difference.
The other four entered into the Junior event sees a very high calibre of racing. Three members of the 2024 Scottish Rowing Team have entered the 4km battle, with one sculler standing out as the hot favourite. Sophie Swanson of The Glasgow Academy Boat Club stroked the quad at HIR 2024 as well as raced in the JW1x – A. This surely puts this 16-year-old on firm ground to take away the medal for the event. Other scullers on the Scotland Team include Iris Barr and Isobel Soyinka, who both showed promising results throughout the 2023/24 season. My prediction is that if Swanson leaves it all out on the track, I cannot see anyone coming within ten seconds of her time. I can see Soyinka taking second place, with Barr close behind in third position. However, the River Clyde has a stream that can cost you upwards of 10 seconds simply by steering the incorrect line down the course, so it is most definitely all to play for on the day.
Division Two (Double Sculls)
Open and Junior Double Sculls
With fatigue settling in after division one, the athletes competing will pair up this time, often with teammates, to fly down the Clyde one last time for this year’s Clydesdale Scullers Head. A short but fast field of four boats are entered into the senior doubles, with two more boats entered into the junior event. These two events have very different age gaps, but I believe that the speed difference will be closer than expected. It’s the battle of Glasgow University BC and Strathclyde University BC in the senior double sculls but like most events this weekend, one crew appears to stand out from the rest. In this field, Gorrie and Waddell stand out to take home the trophy ahead of other clubmates Flood and Yekutieli. Both Gorrie and Waddell are well trained and strong Glasgow University BC rowers which stands them as favourites for the Pennant in my opinion.
In terms of the Junior boats, the Glasgow Academy/Stirling RC composite appears to be the best in the very small field of two. However, in the past, the Glasgow Academy has come out victorious in both the junior and senior events simultaneously. This could be the case this weekend, and Waddell and Brown could see themselves at the top of the results list on Saturday.
Junior Women’s Double Sculls
No senior women’s doubles have entered the W2x event, which leaves only the junior women’s event to preview. Four boats compete for one place in the final division of the day. Although this is a different event, the same club keeps leading the field in speed order; The Glasgow Academy, with three doubles entered. A close match-up between Swanson and Foss are hunting down clubmate Nickko-Amiry and her crewmate Warnock from Glasgow Rowing Club . These two doubles will most definitely be the favourites to take the Pennant for fastest Women’s Double; however, which one will take it?
My bet would be on The Glasgow Academy/Glasgow Rowing Club composite to pull out a slight advantage down some of the straight parts of the course with Warnock’s power and Nickko-Amiry’s technique, I feel it might slightly out match Foss and Swanson. The one thought in my mind is that the composite crew doesn’t have as much experience as the pure Glasgow Academy double has in training together. Whatever the result is, one thing is for sure: every stroke will count when they race on Saturday.
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