With Mediterranean training camps completed and the final 5km tests ticked off, schools have reopened their doors for the final term of the year, signalling the return of Regatta racing.
Another event and another trip to Dorney for many junior rowers, as the lake welcomes crews for Wallingford Regatta. This event will be particularly difficult to predict, as for most crews this will be their first 2km time posted this season, which in turn could see the results of Head season reversed.
Headington School
The girls in blue are fielding two crews into this category, potentially showcasing the greatest strength in depth of all entrants. They also have a crew entered in the women’s challenge eights, unlike Henley, which could suggest they are taking a punt at multiple events in an attempt to secure a medal. Their A boat were 15 seconds behind Henley at School’s Head of the River, and their boat entered into the first eights event was over a minute and a half behind their ‘A’ crew, albeit in challenging conditions.
Henley
Last week, GB trials were held at Dorney, however inconsistent wind conditions meant the times were less representative of the talent on show and the actual event was reduced down to just the time trial. ‘Berry’ and ‘Cotton’ of Henley came in 5th place, an admirable result, with the same club also claiming 7th,8th and 9th positions in the junior women’s pair, out of 15 invited crews. Nearly a year on from their ground-breaking win over Headington at NSR, these girls have proven that it was no fluke, having consistently out-performed their greatest rivals all year; including at the coveted School’s Head.
Lady Eleanor Holles
Too often left in the shadow of Henley and Headington, LEH are proving to be on the rise and pushing to be the fastest junior girl’s eight on the circuit. On the tideway, they were assertive and attacked their race, resulting in second place behind Henley by a mere 2 seconds in the girl’s championship eights. Over the 2km this weekend, the gap should only narrow- creating an immense race, although they too have a crew entered into the challenge eights this weekend, making it difficult to know how this particular crew will fair.
Latymer Upper School
Latymer had a girl’s pair at GB trials last week, which saw them return home with 6th place, an impressive feat at this point in the season. This school clearly also have the National School’s podium in their sights, having placed 3rd at School’s Head in junior championship eights, although they were 9 seconds behind LEH– which will be a challenge but by no means impossible to overcome. LTU came 4th in the girl’s school first eights at SHoRR which suggests that athlete selection for regatta season will have taken place, potentially making their top boat even more competitive.
St George’s College
This crew face a tough 2km, as they race alongside some of the dominant features of junior women’s sweep but it would be fantastic to see them put serious pressure on their competition. At School’s Head they raced time-only however, were 45 seconds off Henley, which will be difficult to surmount. An impressive time this weekend could give St George’s some all-important confidence for the run up to NSR.
Prediction:
- Henley
- Lady Eleanor Holles
- Latymer Upper School
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