With the Wallingford Long Distance Sculls joining the ever-growing list of autumn cancellations, this race was over before it even began. With 22 entries, many of whom were set to debut here in the single, it promised an exciting contest for the top spots. Nonetheless, I’m sure all the competitors were looking forward to the opportunity to shine in, for most, the first head race of the season.
Abingdon School Boat Club
Two scullers from Abingdon School were entered for the race – Lawrence Lane and Willem Hughes. As is often the case for schoolboy programmes, it’s fair to assume that sculling at Abingdon plays second fiddle to the more popular sweep-rowing. However, these two have often found themselves rowing and sculling together, claiming a string of successes in the double at various local regattas and a second place in the Junior Interregional Regatta in the double during their Junior 14 year. These two were the bow and two seat respectively, of the bronze medal-winning Junior 15 first eight at National Schools’ Regatta 2024. Unfortunately, they failed to replicate this success later in the season. Nonetheless, this crew has countlessly proved themselves, and their prowess would have doubtless shown itself during the race.
Lea Rowing Club
From Lea Rowing Club, there was only one entry – Vincent Guetin – the event’s reigning champion, finishing last year’s race in a 36-second lead over the second-place finisher over the shorter two-kilometre course. He has an impressive track record, stroking the Junior 16 quad at the Junior Sculling Regatta 2024 while being a Junior 15. Unfortunately, he rarely performs as well in team events as in individual ones, but that is the fate of any club as small as Lea. Furthermore, his ability on the erg is incredibly impressive, having finished a five-kilometre with a 17:48 in February this year, which is first class for a Junior 15 halfway through his season. He’s shown both technical ability through his position as stroke and physical ability through his erg scores. So, first place may well have gone to the distinctive orange of Lea Rowing Club.
Wallingford Rowing Club
The race hosts, Wallingford Rowing Club, have made numerous entries for this event. However, one seems to stand out from the rest – Seth Conway. He finished in eighth place at the Junior Sculling Regatta in May of this year, which often acts as the de facto national championship for the smaller boat classes not offered at National Schools’ Regatta to the younger years. However, there are also other entries from Wallingford Rowing Club, Sean Stuart and Arthur Liddy, who were both part of the Junior 15 coxed four that came third at National Schools’ Regatta – however, due to their performance being in a larger boat, it’s difficult for them to set themselves apart like Conway did racing a single. With the race set to have taken place on their home stretch, it’s safe to assume that their navigation skills would’ve been the strongest in the field, which can save minutes over a roughly four-kilometre course as was set to be raced.
Prediction
It won’t be easy to compare all the competitors so early in the season. However, it’s difficult to ignore Vincent Guetin of Lea Rowing Club. His technical and physical strength likely would’ve been enough to set him apart, and his past knowledge of the course would’ve given him an edge over the newcomers. However, Seth Conway of Wallingford Rowing Club would also have been among my top picks. I could see any of the Wallingford Junior 15 coxed four filling the lesser podium positions, who are doubtlessly keen to separate themselves from the pack. Regardless of who was the favourite to win, I’m sure all 22 entries will lament the race’s cancellation.
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