With the head racing season over and out, it’s time to return to the multilane racing we’ve all been missing. With Wallingford regatta, the race to Henley finally begins. Wallingford regatta sees the return to Dorney Lake, the 2012 Olympic venue, which feels all that more special with the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon! The top clubs will show their top crews as they compete for the early leadership in regatta wins. But with Henley around the corner, and not many races this season to show for, who will present themselves as this regatta seasons ones to watch? Upsets, close races and a heated battle for pots is all that can be predicted, but it won’t stop us from looking at the top contenders for the open challenge coxless fours event.
Leander
Leander were not to be seen in this event at last year’s regatta, but with a swap of situations it’s last year’s winners Oxford Brookes who are the missing club. After coming top at the Head of the River they showed that yet again, have a strength that can’t be argued with. This being an Olympic year means there are missing international crews at Henley, so the field already feels more open as we move towards the competition. Similarly at this regatta, BUCS means that the top university crews will be missing, so will there be big competition for Leander or will they be leading the pack with confidence?
London Rowing Club
With two boats entered, London look to retain their medal position from last year. Only losing to the two Brookes crews, they took a third place as last year’s regatta, providing a good race and staying ahead of tough competition. With a seventh place finish at HoRR, they have ground to make up from the opposition they will be facing. Leander and Thames all had crews that finished ahead of London A at HoRR, and while certain crews may be entered for the eights or coxed fours events at Wallingford, it still displays the power of the competition they will have to overcome. With a medal position to defend, can London step up to the challenge?
Thames Rowing Club
Having not been present in last year’s challenge coxless fours event, Thames bring three crews to the track. A strong history of strength in fours and eights, their Henley wins back their power in competing for this event. A fourth place finish at HoRR was an impressive feat, with only Leander being ahead of them from the entered clubs in this event. But sitting over twenty seconds behind Leander A, the question remains on whether they can find that extra speed.
Vesta Rowing Club
Renowned for having strength in numbers, Vesta return to this event with just one entry, but perhaps a strong one? At last year’s regatta, they placed a respectable fourth in a strong field, only 1.5 seconds behind London at third place. With a 28th position finish at this year’s HoRR, compared to 24th last year, we can only wonder if they manage to put together a four strong enough to compete for the medal position they so narrowly missed out on last year.
Molesey Boat Club
The dark horse of the event, Molesey provide us with a potential crew to produce some upsets. HoRR is our best show for where the clubs are at this season, and a 16th place finish puts them up there for a medal position. They have certainly had good results at this event in previous years, and they have an excellent depth of talent in their squad. A club not to be scoffed at, Molesey are in it for a reason and we have no doubt they will pack a punch.
Predictions
How do the crews stack up? Wallingford regatta will be one to watch, with it being the first signs of how these crews will do when competing in the run up to Henley. Leander is the top pick to win. An already successful season when there has not been the opportunity to prove themselves has shown us they have not been missing a session. Thames are strong, and I predict will come home with the silver and heads held high as they put a strong show. Vesta will push for the medal, but will fall shy, leading them into a fifth place position. Molesey and London will be competing for that third place finish, with London just getting the edge and taking home the bronze. Molesey will have to take the fourth place but with a tight finish and a margin that can be taken with training. Shoutout has to go to Upper Thames, who undoubtably will push hard into a strong position and will be fighting Vesta all the way.
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