Only singles and doubles in the first of two short course divisions will give an opportunity to see who still has their regatta legs in small boats over the straight 1km course. Racing with the stream should give little challenge, particularly to the championship entries, so expect to see some quick times.
Men’s Championship Doubles
The four crews entered will likely be the ones competing for the fastest time down the short course, with Hartpury’s Ben Harris and Fergus Woolnough jumping out of the quad and into the double for another medal bid. The duo, alongside quad colleague Astbury, also picked up a bronze in Champ Quads at BUCS Regatta so expect them to have some pace over a straight line.
Taking them on will be Bath alumni Harry Bagnall and George Fraser, racing as Meles and Monkton coach Charlie Newbould, who is teaming up with five-time Henley Royal winner Serryth Colbert for what has been described as “two old lads having a laugh”.
Prediction: Hartpury’s first crew out the gate to win, and their B crew likely to also take second. The distance between third and fourth will dictated by how fit Monkton will be over the short course in comparison to their relatively younger opponents from Meles.
Men’s Intermediate Doubles
With many Universities straying rarely from the flagship big boats through the Head Season en route to Tideway, the short course racing in Bristol gives a rare opportunity for some flexibility in crews.
As such, it isn’t a surprise that both Men’s and Women’s Inter Doubles have plenty of entries this year, allowing for a greater variety of racing and lots of doubling up, such as Birmingham’s Inter Quad splitting into two doubles and Southampton’s Oliver Taylor and Matty Tremelling stepping out of the coxed four over the long course to tackle the double.
Prediction: Southampton look good for this with Tremelling having impressed in Novice Singles at Scullers Head back in September, with a third place finish in the category and 86th overall. Also keep an eye out for Angus Gould and Matis Dennett from Cardiff will be a contender over 1km, both having just raced the first division in Inter Quads.
Men’s Intermediate Singles
Always a popular event at the Head with several stepping out of long course crews to make a statement on their own. Again, lots of clubs – including Bath Spa, Bournemouth, Southampton and Surrey – boasting multiple entries.
Looking to the crews, Manual Bradicic and Tom Fortnum from Surrey University look like strong options over the short course, stepping into a small boat in their second year of rowing, having won Beginner Quads at BUCS Regatta earlier this year.
As part of the Hartpury set-up, James Brooke could also feature in the mix, as could Tom Bodily and Fergus Watson from Southampton.
Prediction: Likely a Surrey one-two but never discount the chaos of a short course dash to the finish for someone else to surprise.
Women’s Intermediate Doubles
With 17 entries, this is the highest entry in the whole head. Lots of clubs taking the opportunity to put out multiple crews, including Bristol with four and Bournemouth, Cardiff, Portsmouth and UWE with two each. A mix of experience could make this one an interesting watch and give some trouble to the singles starting ahead of them.
Prediction: Based simply on their experience, expect Lucy Primmer and Hannah Lawrie from Bristol to take this win on their home water.
Women’s Intermediate Singles
The final event of the division sees six women taking to the short course to go head-to-head. Racing on home water is Bristol’s Amelia Taylor fresh from placing 6th in Academic Quads at Fours Head. Meanwhile the tourists to the course are Carys Pryce from Cardiff, who raced in Aspirational Quads at Henley Women’s earlier this year, losing in the first round to finalists Upper Thames, Lizzie Dashley from Birmingham who raced in Womens Champ Coxless Fours and Women’s Intermediate Eights at BUCS Regatta this year and Sophie Layton from De Montford who will have been steadily building her experience since placing 11th in Beginner Quads at BUCS Regatta.
Prediction: A tussle between Taylor and Pryce with the former getting the win thanks to the home advantage.
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