Getting into the swing of the new season, this will be the first race for many of the competitors. So it’s time for them to shake off the first-race jitters and see where they stand in the pecking order – and there is no better boat class to do that in than the single scull. With many of last year’s standout athletes having progressed out of the junior categories, this leaves room for new faces to take their places, though this could make the event’s outcome challenging to predict.
Leander Club
At Wallingford Sculls, Leander have dominated in the past, with five of the top ten finishers being from the club last year. For this reason, opening with them is a no-brainer.
Starting with Byron Richards, a member of Leander’s incredibly successful junior quad last season, which won the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal over Hinksey Sculling School, and took bronze at National Schools’ Regatta. Furthermore he has plenty of experience in the single scull, competing in the boat class at the U19 World Championships, where he finished 6th in the B final. This time last year he was on the Wallingford course, placing 6th at this event in 2022. Therefore, even strongly suggesting he has a chance at the win may be an understatement.
Also from Leander is Will Eaton, the bow seat of their B quad last season; the fastest 2nd quad in the country after taking the win at National Schools. Although it is unlikely he will be able to match Richard’s speed, if he can convert his pace in the quad to a smaller boat, he could still be a contender.
Eton College
More notable contenders, such as Alexander Perkins, come from Eton. Perkins rowed in the 4 seat of the top Eton eight last season, taking the bronze medal at NSR and making it to Friday in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, before being knocked out by St Edward’s, who ended up winning the whole event. These impressive results certainly make him a rower to look out for.
Coming up from J16 is James Bell, who stroked the Eton J16 eight last season, which outstandingly took the win at NSR, squeaking out St Paul’s by a meagre 0.5 seconds. Only time will tell whether Bell can hold his own against the J18s who’ve had all had a whole extra year to develop. But with an impressive J16 season under his belt, there is nothing to suggest he can’t compete against the best.
Other Entries
From Latymer Upper School are a number of athletes, including Leo Heinlein, who was the 2 seat of the Latymer eight last season. In that boat, he made the A final at National School’s, a great achievement, particularly against the mainstay schools of schoolboy sweep rowing (we know you know who we’re talking about). In addition to LUS is Lea Rowing Club, which have entered multiple members of their top junior quad from last season, who made it through a round in the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal. Although it is unlikely they will topple the titans of Leander and Eton, it may be just as interesting to see who prevails out of this group.
Predictions
With Byron Richards having raced the single sculls at the U19 World Championships, it is his event to lose. But with a field full of talent there is always the chance for an upset to take place. Additionally, with Richards already having missed out on the win at the Vesta Scullers’ Head to Philip Wolfensberger from SPS, it seems Leander may not be as invincible as they appeared last season, so that indicates one thing: it truly may be anyone’s race.
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