This Sunday 336 crews will be racing down the 4km stretch of the Thames just outside of Wallingford, battling the predicted wet weather, as well as the upstream current. This event follows on from the Wallingford Regatta held back in May, where 494 boats also competed along the Dorney lake straight. The J15 athletes this year will be hoping to put down some strong times, though it is also worth considering that this may be the first eight they race.
Hinksey Sculling School
Hinksey has had an excellent year so far, with a recent 1st place in the U19 men’s GB trials. Back in May, those racing also competed in and won Thames Ditton Regatta. Hinksey topped the summer season with a 3rd place at the British Rowing Junior Championships, putting them in a good spot since they already know the strengths of their opponents, and hopefully, some hard work put in since the head season began will pay off at Wallingford Head and beyond.
Mossbourne Rowing Academy
Another strong field of competitors comes from Mossbourne Rowing Academy, who have two eights competing in this year’s event. In September, the J15 boys won the coxed four events at Maidstone Head, along with their J16 boys winning the open men’s event, showing that Mossbourne has a key talent for sweeping. Last year, the Mossbourne crew came 4th, which I’m sure they will be looking to improve on, taking back the win from St Paul’s School.
Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper has also done well this season and last, with 10 wins at Reading Small Boats Head. The school’s men’s eight also succeeded at Reading Amateur Regatta back in June where they won the School’s eights category. At Wallingford Regatta in May, Latymer came 2nd in the J16 eights race and was the fastest in the B final for the J15 eight. This shows continuous effort being put in by the school to get consistent results each year, which will put them in good stead when these boys reach the age to be competing at Henley and other prestigious races across the country. Finally, at Hampton Head in February, the J16 4- won their event, and the J6 2nd eight came 2nd, another set of persistently strong results.
As far as predictions go, I expect the weather to make it a difficult race, but I am hopeful that Mossbourne will be able to improve on their placing from last year, possibly beating St Paul’s in the process. I predict Latymer to come in second, and then 3rd could be up for grabs from either Hinksey, St Paul’s or possibly a wildcard boat. As always, rowing remains a turbulent sport and with tight competition for the top spots almost guaranteed, sunday should bring some exciting racing!
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