The Wingfield Sculls – Men’s & Women’s Previews

The Wingfield Sculls, even 191-years after its inception, remains one of the most dramatic races on the Tideway and is, without doubt, the most spectacular for scullers.

For 2021, five women and six men will race – with the aid of their steersperson – the Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake. Find out more about the history of the Wingfields and the challenges it faced in our interview with Wade Hall-Craggs, and Adam Freeman-Pask here.

Women’s Race Preview 

Start: 12:45 

Meghann Jackson (Upper Thames)

Beaten only by Jess Leyden and Kathryn Mole at Scullers Head, Meghann Jackson has a suitably durable Tideway CV, having won Scullers head in 2017 and has remained in the top five women’s finishers ever since. Based out of London Rowing Club, the former Canadian Beach Sprinter has become something of a stalwart of the Thames rowing scene, racing with London RC both on and off the London Stretch, including an impressive 2017 stretch with top finishes at Fours Head and Metropolitan Regatta. 

Kathryn Mole (Leeds) 

The fastest on paper so far this year, Kathryn Mole returns to the Tideway after a second-place finish at Vesta Scullers Head. Somewhat elusive on the domestic scene, could she be this race’s dark horse?

Lola Anderson (Leander)  

Something of a Project Paris prodigy, Lola Anderson ended her 2021 summer season on a high, winning the Princess Royal Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The Surbiton High School and Newcastle University alumna had also hit the headlines earlier in the year after a stunning bronze medal at World Rowing Cup III, having previously won a gold and silver in the quads at Under23 and Junior level, respectively. Lola is a rising star within the national team and is arguably one of the country’s best scullers; she’ll be hard to beat on the Championship Course.

Georgina Brayshaw (Leander)

Leeds World Class Start graduate Georgie Brayshaw is the second Leander athlete contending this year’s women’s Wingfields, having previously competed in 2020. She returns to the circuit after a defeat in the final of the Stonor Challenge Cup, where Georgie and partner Jess Leyden were beaten by the Tokyo Lightweight Double of Imogen Grant and Emily Craig. Georgie has been on the peripheries of the GB team for some time and is certainly an athlete to watch over the coming years. Whether she can topple her pink hippo opposite number is yet to be seen.

Grace Bake (London)

Tideway old guard Grace Bake won WJ18 doubles at Pairs Head in 2016 before hopping across the pond to Maine, where she attended Bates College. Whilst Stateside, Grace won gold in the varsity eights every year; in the second eight as a freshman, before graduating to the first eight for the remainder of her college time, which she stroked as a senior. Back in London, Grace placed fourth at this year’s Scullers Head – behind fellow competitors Kathryn Mole and Meghann Jackson. As such, it would be a surprise to see her challenge for the top spots, but with a demonstrable history of horsepower, the right conditions could allow her to surge through.

Predictions:

1 – Lola Anderson (Leander)

2 – Georgina Brayshaw (Leander)

3 – Kathryn Mole (Leeds) 

Men’s Race Preview

Start: 14:00

Nathan O’Reilly (London)

The second ex-NUBC athlete to charge down the Tideway, Nathan O’Reilly solidified his status as a rowing legend after breaking seven erg records in as many days during the height of the 2020 lockdown. This year he placed 5th overall at Scullers Head, winning his category by a considerable margin in the process. He was, however, ranked below his fellow Wingfield competitors that competed at the event, so will require a turn of speed to come out on top on Thursday. 

Rui Xu (London)

The top-placed sculler from this roster at Scullers Head, Rui Xu, could cause the upset of the day. A former lightweight, Rui Xu, has demonstrated impressive ergs scores, with a 6:02 2K (5.54 watts per kilo). Rui was previously studying at the University of Toronto for a PhD in Medical Biophysics. Whilst there, he rowed with the Varsity Blues squad, where his ergo prowess was first noted. His strong showing on the Thames earlier this year puts him in good stead, but against International heavyweights, his true speed will certainly be tested. 

Jack Keating (Leander)

A well-known name on the 2017/18 junior scene, Jack Keating once again picks up a set of sculling blades to compete in this year’s race. Double Coupe gold medalist in the quad, Jack has represented GB at both European and World Championship levels, always in the largest sculling boats. Also talented in the single, however, Jack won the C-final at GB Closed Trials in May, uprooting some of the nation’s more established names. It’s a formidable roster to compete in, but Jack is arguably the best candidate to upset the established order. 

Graeme Thomas (Agecroft)

Another big boat specialist, Graeme Thomas returns home after narrowly missing out on a medal in Tokyo. He, along with partner John Collins, were beaten to the line by the Chinese double. In previous Olympiads, Graeme collected a smattering of World and European Championship medals. Most notably, Graeme won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at this year’s HRR, making him – by standard metrics – the nation’s fastest sculler. Graeme makes his first appearance of the season and is perhaps the strongest contender and doubtless the sculler to beat.  

Callum Dixon (Twickenham)

The Project Paris contingent on the men’s side, Callum Dixon races with a strong history of success in the small boats. Most notably, winning gold in the double at the 2021 Under23 World Championships. Callum is on a meteoric rise in the national team and is likely to find himself lining up in the top sculling boat in 2024; in the meantime, his main competition remains Graeme Thomas.

Gregor Maxwell (London) 

Finishing in 13th position overall (lucky for some) at Scullers Head, Gregor Maxwell enters the race as a strong contender. Notable more on the domestic scene for his prowess with a single blade, Gregor has a strong history in the four, both with St Andrew Boat Club and Tideway Scullers School. Given the time differential between Gregor and Rui at Scullers Head, it would be a surprise to see the former unseat the latter, but it’s far from an impossibility. 

Predictions:

1 – Graeme Thomas (Agecroft)

2 – Callum Dixon (Twickenham)

3 – Jack Keating (Leander)

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