These previews were written prior to the cancellation of Wallingford Long Distance Sculls 2024.
The first to cut through the Wallingford glass, these seven Junior 18 quads are the first to start the head-racing season. The winding, four-kilometre race tests planning and stamina, with extra pressure added to the bow seat to secure the perfect line against the stream. In the first real chance to see who the contenders may be, here is a look forward to the day’s first event.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Starting Sunday’s racing, Wallingford Rowing Club will look for a clean line down the course to secure a home win in a fashionable start to their winter season. With strong Junior 17 and Junior 18 squads, Wallingford certainly have the numbers to rival the top schools in this category. Having achieved a silver medal in the Women’s Junior 16 eights at the National Schools’ Regatta this year and winning it the previous, these girls appear to be a threat to anyone else racing. However, I wouldn’t be surprised for this squad to follow their predecessor’s usual pattern of racing a quad through the winter season and moving into the eight for summer races, meaning this could well be a threat that dies out later in the sculling season.
Lady Eleanor Holles
With all but one of their raced entries at the National Schools’ Regatta being in sweep categories, it may surprise some to see Lady Eleanor Holles at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, even more so with three quads in this category alone. With at least six returners from their championship eight this year, the speed and skill are certainly not lacking. Fielding multiple crews is not an issue for LEH, providing them with competitive choices for the upcoming season.
Tiffin School Boat Club
Based on the River Thames, Tiffin School is one of the few state schools that boasts a boat club as part of their extracurriculars. Tiffin has created a respectable reputation by consistently entering national events such as Schools’ Head of the River Race and the National Schools’ Regatta. Placing 28th at Schools’ Head earlier this year and time trialling in at 30th for the National Schools’ Regatta may put this crew out of medal contention this weekend, but the racing experience will surely help the school as the season progresses.
Reading Rowing Club
Close rivals with Tiffin, Reading placed 26th in the Girls’ Championship quads at the National Schools’ Regatta’, split seconds off the top spot in their final. Fuelled with this glimmer of a win, Reading will push hard to reclaim their spot about Tiffin and stake their claim for the season ahead. Rowing onto the Thames, Reading will be used to the twists and turns offered by Wallingford and should aim to use this steering point to their advantage. They follow LEH C down the course.
Dart Totnes Rowing Club
Having two entries for the National Schools’ Regatta’ this year, Dart Totnes seems to be flying under the radar coming into this season. The club has a seven-kilometre stretch on the river Dart and recently organised the Head of the Dart. With a few wins at local regattas in the west of England, Dart Totnes are racing as an unknown for many competitors and it will be exciting to see how they place amongst the competing crews.
Prediction
I think the home advantage will place Wallingford clear of the competition, leaving them to dominate in spectacular style. I believe it is. Followed home by the A and B LEH crews, who may be challenged by the relatively unknown Dart Totnes crew. Just pipped by Reading, Tiffin followed home closely, followed by a hard-battling LEH C crew.
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