This year 8 boats have been entered into the junior womans’ coxless quads at Wallingford LDS, with Headington, LEH, and Stratford-upon-Avon all entering 2 boats each. The competition is held over 4 kilometers, so it will be interesting to see how each crew performs having to race double the normal regatta season distance. With some of the best girls rowing clubs and schools in the country entered, it will most definitely be a competitive fight for the win.
Headington School Boat Club
Headington had a very successful season with a very strong group of girls last year. They began by putting their top rowers in the coxless quad, then after national schools, transitioning them into the 8. This 8 then went on to win their every race including Brit champs, Woman’s Henley, and Henley Royal. Despite many of the girls in that boat no longer being juniors, their success represents their coach’s ability to drive for success and produce fast boats and for that reason, I think a Headington crew will be seen at least in the top 3.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing club is another club that is known for producing fast, competitive crews. Last year Henley also put a lot of focus on their 8, clearly showing the depth of talent in the squad. This 8 showed a lot of potential but never quite were able to beat the dominant Headington 8 and came 2nd at national schools to LEH. Despite this, this is a sculling head so it will all come down to who can move a quad as efficiently as possible. Henley quads have always been fast, their girls medaling in multiple prestigious events over the last few years, so this quad will also be expected to place highly.
Lady Eleanor Holles
A crew from Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club is always a boat to be scared of racing, as their dominance in girls rowing has been very impressive. Last year they had no trouble winning champ girls 8s at national schools regatta, however, they did not compete in many of the other major regattas that season. This means we cannot be sure of how strong LEH’s j18 girls are this year, especially in a quad this early on in the season. Despite this, I do believe that these 2 quads entered will storm down the course and put up a good fight for the win.
Prediction
Stratford-Upon-Avon boat Club has entered 2 boats so it will be interesting to see the contrast in speeds between the A and B boats, but it might be too much to ask for either of them to overhaul the other crews named above.
Guildford rowing club will be the underdog, but it would be great if they could put a fast time down and surprise the other crews. Having said this, I think the 3 fastest boats will be from LEH, Henley, and Headington, however, we will have to wait and see in which order that will be.
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