For most of the competitors this Sunday, Wallingford will mark the start of the official summer regatta season, blending in neatly with the beginning of their summer terms. Now that head season is over, the pre-Henley tensions are certainly rising. Coupled with the majority of schools and clubs making pilgrimages near and far for camps over Easter, and the semi-conspicuous nonappearance of the Eights on some of the clubs’ social media pages, it certainly feels like the competition is heating up.
In the eternal struggle between Henley and Headington, it is the former that have been coming out on top of late. They took the win over HSOBC in the Champ 8+ at School’s Head by exactly a second, and placed ahead of Headington’s 3rd in the quads at the Scullery. With Wycliffe – who won in the same event (by .1 of a second, no less) – absent this weekend, Henley have a good run at the top spot. I have even heard reports of injuries in one of the crews, which could complicate matters. However, the beginning of the Regatta season comes with a whole new discipline, and if Henley Royal last year showed anything, it’s that the Headington 1st VIII is a formidable opponent when it comes to side-by-side races.
Behind them in SHoRR were Surbiton, who this time last season were strongly backed as a favourite in our previews. The same cannot yet be said of them this year, but they may well prove themselves as the third contender in Headington and Henley’s battle for the top spot. With a third at SHoRR, they’re not far off, but whether their perhaps unexpected 7th placing at JSR will hold them back remains to be seen: with the change of disciplines, they stand a fair chance.
Following the above top three at SHoRR were St Edward’s Sch and Hinksey, placing fourth and sixth respectively. Lady Eleanor Holles seem to have taken a turn for the worse lately, as their Champ 8 and 2nd 8 both placed second last. Nonetheless, with the change to side-by-side racing, their crews could well catch up.
Prediction
Given that it is unknown how the change to side-by-side racing will affect the crews, this is perhaps the hardest time to make predictions. Nevertheless, it will certainly be between Headington and Henley for the top spot, but I think it’ll be Henley that narrowly takes the lead. One thing is certain: the opening of the new season will be a looking glass for what’s to come.
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