And so it begins. The first in the Northern Sculling Series is always a shock to the system and the Northern Rowing Council really have thrown us in at the deep end this year- with the opener being held on the Tyne. The tide, rain, wind and course are factors that crews will be forced to take into consideration on Saturday, as many of us know too well just how brutal the Tyne can be. As the first opportunity to impress, I would expect to see some eager and optimistic faces in Newcastle this weekend, with everyone looking to lay down a marker for the season ahead.
WJ18 4x-
This category is quite poorly entered, yet I would argue that this cohort has never been particularly strong in larger boats, in the region. Last year we saw various WJ16 crews beating the WJ17/18s at that time and perhaps this is a reflection of that. Nevertheless, Tyne RC have put out a crew which should go well- as they are racing on home water. I believe this crew will be made up of majority WJ17 girls but having recently raced in WJ18 at the Junior British Championships, the Tyne girls are more than capable of challenging Durham School. The quad fielded by Durham School includes some of their new athletes- which they have brought in from various local clubs to join their rowing programme this season. Having ventured to South Africa on training camp this summer and taking a bronze medal home from the Junior British Championships- these girls should be the fastest junior women’s boat of the day.
WJ17 4x-
Just two entries in this category yet, I have no doubt that this will be an excellent race between two very diligent and driven crews. First up is Chester-Le-Street, arguably two of their strongest scullers are not in this boat, however, I would expect to see some of their strong JIRR crew returning to race, which should provide for a fast time over the 4.5km course. Up against them are St Leonard’s School; who ran out victorious against CLS at the end of last season at both; Hexham Regatta and Wansbeck Regatta. St Leonard’s came 8th at the Junior British Championships in the quad (an event that CLS did not enter) however, it will be interesting to see how much speed Chester-Le-Street’s summer training camp has gained them.
WJ16 4x-
The Tyne United scullers in this age category won Durham Regatta (in the double) which shows that they (as a squad) are more than capable of performing yet, as for all crews, the step up to J16 can be considerable and so the girls will need to adapt to the change in intensity. The crew from Queen Elizabeth High School have not had any recent notable victories however, being the first race of the new season; they could put out a surprising performance. I would predict that the Tyne RC quad are most likely to claim the pots though, as their boat includes JIRR bronze medallist; Erin Temple, they have the home-water advantage and they had some promising performances last year as a squad.
WJ18 2x
Again, the Durham School girls should be fast after a strong pre-season but their opposition, in the form of; Tyne RC and Tyne United will definitely not be beaten easily. Looking at their impressive racing history, over their entire junior career, it should be Tyne United that take the lead- although they have been racing more often in the pair recently. (Including a win just last week at Durham Autumn Sprint)
WJ17 2x
The Cambois double don’t have a lot of racing experience therefore, could find the race on the Tyne challenging. The Queen Elizabeth High School girls have raced a lot, in contrast, and they did beat St Leonard’s School in this event at Hexham Regatta. However, with St Leonard’s beating QEHS in the B final of Junior British Championships (in the quad) this race should be fairly tight. The St Leonard’s crew will definitely be looking push away, as they are set off first.
WJ16 2x
The winners of Durham Regatta, from Tyne United, have entered so, should they be able to convert their sprint ability to long distance racing, could run out victorious. The Talkin Tarn and Cambois entries are less likely to take the win however, with it being a brand new season, anyone could produce a shock result. Chester-Le-Street have got two boats racing in this category but I think it will be their ‘Hall’ boat that will post the fastest time. These girls picked up a 13th place finish at the Junior British Championships in the double and so will likely win on the Tyne.
WJ18 1x
I have no doubt that this will be won by Durham School’s Julia Gledson, who was part of their Junior British Championships bronze medal winning crew. She also raced well in the single at GB trials throughout last year and just missed out on a place at the GB training camp. Talkin Tarn Rowntree simply lacks experience which will be vital, come the weekend.
WJ17 1x
Both the entries from Chester-Le-Street attended GB trials last year and successfully went to the GB training camp in Nottingham which puts them in very good contention for the year ahead. CLS Hall managed to gain a place in the B Final at the Junior British Championships with CLS Dowson in the C final. Durham School Wearmouth is also a very good sculler having finished last season at Tyne RC, it will be good to see whether the move to Durham School has had a positive effect on her sculling.
WJ16 1x
All boats racing in this category come from Chester-Le-Street– perhaps cementing the fact that this club likes to focus on single sculling, particularly for their strongest athletes. Although all the girls are competent scullers, the win is definitely CLS Warren’s to lose who; trialled for GB (a year early) last year, won a bronze medal at the Junior British Championships and has been nothing short of dominant in the northern region thus far in her career.
All in all, I think we will see a huge variety of clubs claiming points this weekend for the Victor Ludorum and I don’t think we will see any club way out in front (on points) by the end of Saturday. It is all to play for.
TheNortherner
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