The single sculls race at Wallingford LDS is a fairly open race, especially in the J17 event. Not one, not two, but over twenty crews representing eight clubs, over 4000m of the river. With the single being the smallest boat in the sculling world, it is very much a case of mind over matter for these crews, as they will be aware that only they have the power to ensure that the boat speed is at its very best.
St Pauls School Boat Club
Although St Pauls have an obvious mountain of talent to choose from in their squad, as they proved at Henley once again this year, entries in this event are slightly thin on the ground. Looking to step into the shoes of past Paulian rowers such as Dominic Valt, who won this event the last time it was held in 2019, and current UCal rowing sophomore Alex Langstone-Bolt, are Zain Ackrim and Rahul Marchand. Both had rather disappointing NSR campaigns, especially by the high standards set by St Pauls, with a 16th place and a 7th place finish respectively. They have since both made the jump to the high end of junior rowing when physicality and technique go hand in hand with sheer willpower. Although their results may not indicate it, it would be unwise to count a St Pauls crew of any level out.
Henley Rowing Club
Hailing from arguably the world capital of rowing, come the two entrants from Henley Rowing Club, Connor O’Shea-James and Sam Pratt. Both were part of the J16 4x crew that came second in the B final at NSR 2021. Of course, the single scull is an entirely different kettle of fish, and knowing that Henley has had top ten finishes in this event in the past [including a respectable 9th place for Sam Beattie in the J18 1x in 2019] will heap the pressure still more upon these two young rowers. In terms of predictions, a top ten finish in a field that is crowded with the likes of St Pauls and Westminster would be an ideal result to start the season with a bang.
Westminster School Boat Club
With the most entrants out of any club in this category [10 in all], come the men in pink from Westminster School Boat Club. With that many entrants, the likelihood is that a Westminster boy will win this event or at least finish in the top five. Eight of the entrants [Theo Budgen, Ishan Tomasi, Kelvin Wong, Mark Morris, Kabi Wali, Alex Lacorzana, Max Peel, and Jou-Myu Wijnholds] all raced in the J16 1st 8+ that finished a disappointing 5th in the A-Final at NSR 2021. Past failures aside, it’s important to note that a good performance at a regatta this early in the season can provide a useful springboard to future success. Case in point, Wilder Fulford and Oliver Ellis, who used their top ten finish at this event two years ago to propel themselves in the Ch8+. Could we see another future Westminster rowing great be born?. We shall wait and see.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Whilst other crews may have difficulty navigating the bends of the river, for local club Wallingford Rowing Club it’s all in a day’s work. Given that the regatta is taking place in what is effectively their backyard, Wallingford will know that they have as good a chance as any of taking home a tankard. One of the two [Ewan Sleep] already has some pedigree in the single, having won the C final at the Junior Sculling Regatta this year by three seconds, beating sculling heavyweight Sir William Borlase Grammer School Boat Club in the process. He and his compatriot Holburn will certainly look to bring some glory.
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