W161x
This year at Wallingford there aren’t too many results to go off of due to the Head being cancelled the previous year so most of the J16s are new to the course. With 5000m ahead of them, it will be interesting to see the standard across their category and how they will deal with the long and winded river along the way. There isn’t a large amount of information about the speed of the scullers other than the results of the Junior Sculling Regatta so guesswork may have to be applied in some areas.
Henley RC
Henley RC have entered the majority of the scullers in this category and with the club producing a high quality standard of sculling, I am guessing that they will be the favourites for the event. With Florence Lenthall, Matilda Macartney and Gwennie Hunter winning the J15 4x title last year in their quad at Junior Sculling Regatta, this suggests that these girls have got the speed and potential to do very well in this event. Furthermore, Anna Merrit and Emma Eltze also raced in the Junior Sculling Regatta in an octo and placed first too, demonstrating the high standard these girls have in their boats. As these girls have moved up a year, there is no doubt that their sculling will have taken a massive improvement and that hopefully the standard they have demonstrated gets translated into their smaller boats.
Stratford upon Avon
Both Grace Beason and Uchenna Nwachukwa are two scullers who have experience rowing down Wallingford back in 2019 in their respective quads as J14s. Placing fourth over only 1500m of Wallingford’s course, this could give these scullers the slight upper hand as they will be returning with a sense of familiarity while knowing roughly what to expect. Furthermore, Nwachukwa also raced in a single at Junior Sculling Regatta showing that she is able to perform at a high level individually. Grace Beason also rowed in a double at the sculling regatta as well, proving that these girls are more than capable in small boats and expectantly will do very well in this event.
Pangbourne Rowing club
Pangbourne entered two scullers this year, Kitty Thomas being one of them who competed at the Junior Sculling Regatta, making the C final in Junior Sculling Regatta. Not much information can be found about ‘Alexopoulos’, however Pangbourne talented and technical scullers over the years and hopefully they will be able to endure Wallingford’s 5000m course.
Evesham Rowing Club
Entered to race for Evesham Rowing Club is Leah Saunders who produced an impressive race in her single at Junior Sculling Regatta by stealing the top spot by just under 24 seconds. With experience and strength that she has shown in her single there is no doubt that she will do very well in this upcoming race. Although her success was over a shorter distance, hopefully she can keep up the good work in rowing the long stretch of river at Wallingford.
Other clubs entered also include Maidenhead RC which Sophie Pleace will be representing. She rowed in a double at the Junior Sculling Regatta showing that she is no stranger to small boats and placed fourth. Additionally, Guildford RC where ‘Reddy’ will be rowing for, however not much information can be found about her but nonetheless will produce a good race and push herself to do well!
Prediction
I predict that Evesham’s Leah Saunders will be the main competitor and realistically the one to beat but will be up against a fierce group of Henley scullers. I think that Henley will be closely followed by Pangbourne College and Stratford upon Avon. However- anything can happen due to the nature of Wallingford Long Distance Sculls and I wish all crews good luck!
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