Wallingford Regatta 2019 – Women’s Challenge Eights

Taking place on Dorney Lake, Wallingford Regatta is the biggest one-day regatta in the country, and always attracts a strong crowd of junior competitors. There are only three junior crews entered for this event, though all three of the schools have a history of producing very strong junior rowers, so it will be exciting to see how they fare against each other, and also against the senior women’s crews.

Headington School

So far this season, it seems that the age-old competition between Henley and Headington is still going strong. At 2018 National Schools’ Regatta, the Headington 1^st VIII took second place to the Henley crew, whilst the 2^nd VIII managed to grab the top spot, winning gold. At 2019 Henley 4s and 8s Head, the Headington crews took 3^rd and 4^th place in the WJ18 8+, two very respectable results, meanwhile at the unseasonably blustery 2019 Schools’ Head of the River, the Girls Ch 8+ crew took 5^th place, once again a satisfying result given the conditions, though I’d imagine lower down the results board than they would have been hoping for given last year’s impressive second place.

Lady Eleanor Holles School

Lady Eleanor Holles School have had a wonderful season so far. At Quintin Head, the WJ18 8+ took second place, and this result was repeated at Hammersmith Head, where the WJ16 8+ also came away with second place. Perhaps the most impressive achievement of the season for the LEH crew this season is their fantastic result in the Girls Ch 8+ at Schools’ Head, where they took second place, coming away with a time which was less than 2 seconds slower than that of the winning Henley crew.

Putney High School

Putney High School seems to have had less of a busy season so far than the other two crews racing. However, they did very well at Schools’ Head, with the PHS 1^st VIII coming away with second place in the WJ18 8+. Additionally, at Quintin Head, the WJ18 8+ came 4^th overall, whilst the PHS WJ16 8+ took third in their category. PHS girls have however just left a very successful season behind them, with wins in the WJ4+ at both Henley Women’s Regatta, and at 2018 National Schools’ Regatta, so it will be interesting to see how they use this experience to their advantage as we enter regatta season.

Predictions

1. Lady Eleanor Holles School BC
2. Headington School BC
3. Putney High School BC

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Lucy Lloyd

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