Wallingford Long Distance sculls is one of the inaugural events of the rowing season for many and should hopefully demonstrate the exciting level of racing that we can expect for the season ahead. This year all the competitors will be racing across the long course of 4000m providing a great opportunity to see the calibre of athletes across this longer distance event. With 39 crews entered from seven clubs, it looks to be an exciting one.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Going off first and with the largest entry of 14 singles, Headington School looks to hopefully be putting in a strong group performance. The collection of crews from Headington looks to be in good stead with five out of the group being a part of the winning Junior Women’s Eight at Henley Royal Regatta. Alongside this 11 out of the 14 singles racing achieved a medal at the National Schools Regatta in 2021 all of which were in sculling boats showing the confident sculling skills within the group. These recent successes could be a good indicator as to how the crews will perform this weekend at Wallingford.
Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club
Another group of singles that looks to put in a strong performance this weekend is the collection of eight singles from Lady Eleanor Holles BC. Four of the athletes competing were a part of the winning Championship Girls Eight at National Schools Regatta and another two of the group also made it into the A final of the coxed four. It will be exciting to see whether their successes last season within sweep will transfer into the smaller sculling boats effectively and put out a notable performance.
Latymer Upper School Boat Club
With the second largest group of the Junior Women’s 18 singles event, there is no doubt there will be some solid performances from the Latymer Upper School crews. Within the group, there is the finalist crew in the J16 coxed four from Henley Women’s Regatta in 2021 so it should be interesting to see whether they are able to make a successful transfer into the J18 age bracket within these smaller sculling boats. Additionally, at the National Schools Regatta earlier in the year, 3 of the scullers achieved a podium position which could be a demonstration of the level and experience of sculling within the club which could be an indication as to what the results will look like this weekend.
Prediction
Alongside the multiple crew entries into the event from some clubs, the four clubs of Maidenhead Rowing Club, Pangbourne College Boat Club, Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club, and Henley Rowing Club have all chosen to enter one single each Within this group it looks that the single from Henley Rowing Club of Laiose O’Donohue could be competing for one of the top positions after racing at Henley Royal Regatta in the Junior Women’s Eight making it to the final as well as being an A finalist at National Schools Regatta. However, with it being so long since the last Long Distance Scull event and other smaller boat events and competitions, this weekend is set to be an exciting one to watch to see who comes out on top.
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