With the cancellation of Chester LDS due to unsafe conditions, the winding 4250m Wallingford Long Distance Sculls course represents the first challenge of the season for a new group of J16 scullers. For those entered it will be a chance to put summer training into use and lay down a marker for the coming season. Not many of the scullers entered have a lot of previous results, but there are some standouts.
Henley Rowing Club – Crick, O’Connor, Seager
Henley has a strong reputation when it comes to producing scullers and as such I expect all three of their entries to perform well, Crick and O’Connor are my favourites to take the event after some impressive performances last season. Neither of them are strangers to medalling nationally with Crick picking up a medal in J15 2x at Brit Champs 2017 as a J14 and O’Connor doing the same this year, as a J15 in a J16 2x.
Star & Arrow – Barnes and Grainge
Star and Arrow should not be ignored having produced some very impressive scullers in the form of Willis and Sharp and there is nothing stopping their current crop of J16’s living up to that potential.
Stratford-upon-Avon – Tyler
This sculler came 2nd in the C final at Brit Champs behind the aforementioned Seager of Henley RC and will be keen to overturn that result coming into the new season.
Finally, three of the scullers from Magdalen College BC, Gregg, Bradbery and Pullinger, were in their J15 quad that achieved a respectable 20/61 at NSR 2018, though I do not expect them to challenge for the win in this category.
While Henley are my favourites with Crick and O’Connor, I expect Star & Arrow & Stratford-upon-Avon to provide some competition. Furthermore, there are a number of other entries in this category who’s speed remain unknown, meaning that a surprise outsider performance is not off the cards, especially this early in the season.
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