The Fours Head course is a long journey from Mortlake to Putney: it is an even longer journey in the coxed four. Although these competitors have the advantage of a coxswain navigating and aiding crew cohesion, they more than earn that with the extra time they spend battling the Tideway’s testing conditions.
Thames Rowing Club (‘N’ and ‘M’)
The Thames RC women’s squad is set to continue demonstrating their unmatched depth within women’s club rowing. Both Thames RC crews within the club women’s coxed fours are strong, experienced and eager to retain the pennant, having beat Worcester RC for first place. With Henley Women’s Regatta winners and Wargrave Challenge Cup racers scattered throughout each of the crews, it would be hard to say if one boat is even expected to be faster than the other.
Vesta Rowing Club
Another Tideway club, Vesta RC, will be looking to build on last season’s successes. The Vesta RC women’s squad qualified three eights to the Wargrave Challenge cup at Henley Royal Regatta and met Thames Rowing Club in the final of aspirational eights at Henley Women’s Regatta. However, it will be interesting to see what talent Vesta RC will be putting out for this season: several former first and second-eight athletes have been appearing in the line-ups of Thames Rowing Club crew.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
One of the three clubs to qualify multiple eights to the Wargrave Challenge Cup last year, Upper Thames RC will be another women’s squad looking to build upon last season’s successes as they go up against their fellow Tideway clubs.
Tideway Scullers School
Now under the guidance of head coach Willem Hagemans, this Tideway Scullers School (TSS) crew will be looking to put down a solid early-season performance. The crew has a wealth of experience, with former junior squad members O’Sullivan and Beinhocker racing on the England rowing team at the Home International Rowing Regatta last season. They are joined by Engelsman, a powerful athlete who has previously won the open women’s British rowing Indoor championships and set British records on the Concept2. The results this week could prove the start of an exciting project for TSS.
Predictions
With the Thames Rowing Club women back stronger than ever, it will most likely be the ‘N’ and ‘M’ entries contesting for the pennant. It will be interesting to see what talent Thames RC has left for the rest of the Putney embankment, and what the gap may be between them and the best of the chasing pack.
About The Author
