In the J16 2x event there are nine different crews that will be racing, with the likes of Abingdon, Evesham, Henley, Wallingford and the American School in London all to be competing in this event that starts the winter season. This is a tough course and so the crews will be facing the challenges of steering as well as the 4.5km of rowing to accomplish.
Abingdon
Abingdon have entered two boats into this category after only one entry last year. Both of the crews have athletes – Anna Sammartino and Kerry Whelan – that raced at the National Schools regatta last year in the J15 coxed quadruple sculls. Kerry Whelan stroked the A boat in that event and so there will be some good experience in this double.
Evesham
The Evesham boat club is situated on the river Avon and so the girls will have some experience in steering round and bends and so should be able to handle the S-bend in this course. There have been no notable wins over last year within this squad and so it will be interesting to see how they handle this event.
Henley
The J15s of last year posted some good sculling results including a second place in the J15 coxed quadruple sculls at National Schools regatta. The strength seen in throughout last year presents a strong now J16 squad for the Henley team and they will definitely be a contender on this course with two double sculls entered and one of the only returning clubs to this event from last year.
Wallingford
Wallingford have entered one double scull in this category despite not entering this specific category last year. They will be coming into the event with a slight advantage that this is their home course and so this crew will be very practised in the steering of the course which can prove vital in these races.
American School in London
This rowing club has a strong junior rowing program as evident as they competed at Henley Royal Regatta last year. However, in the younger age categories the previous year has not been as successful as at National Schools neither of the J15 quadruple sculls qualified past the time trial so it will be interesting to see their performance over a longer course.
From the results over the past year in these now J16 squads across these five different rowing clubs we expect to see the returners to this event, Henley and Abingdon, as well as Wallingford racing well through this event.
About The Author
