Regatta season is officially beginning, with Wallingford Regatta marking the start of summer. Wallingford has become a staple race for many successful boats over the past few years: due to its home on Dorney Lake, the crews competing can gain experience over the 2000m straight course, placing them in good stead for national racing. For many in this event, it will be their first chance to race side-by-side in such a powerful boat as the eight, making this both exciting and nerve-wracking for all those involved. Furthermore, who takes the win in this category can give us all an exciting insight into the future championship finals in years to come.
Godolphin and Latymer School Boat Club
Starting off our draw, Godolphin and Latymer have entered two eights. After the previous WJ15 crew placed third at last year’s Wallingford Regatta, these crews have a mark to beat. However, after finishing 13th at Hampton Big Boats Head, these crews will have to put everything into this race, potentially gaining valuable training for later in the season. Up against some tough competition, this will act as a good test to see how these athletes handle the pressure to perform.
Henley Rowing Club
After taking fourth place at Hampton Big Boats Head, Henley will be wanting to move up the ranks once again. With a wide range of athletes at their disposal in both the sweep and sculling category, the legacy of the Henley eight is sure to continue. Having already proven their ability over this head season, coming third in the WJ15 8x+ at Junior Sculling Head, there is no doubt that their strength and technique will place them in a good position going into regatta season.
Kingston Grammar School Boat Club
Though not regularly seen in the young junior events, Kingston Grammar School has entered two ready and raring crews. Already with a seventh place finish at Hampton Head, at least one of these boats (if not both) will hopefully drive on through to the final this weekend, and hopefully onto future A-finals this season. Yet, there is not much to analyse with this crew, raising the question of if their lack of previous racing will hinder them, or whether their anonymity will surprise the competition.
Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club
After becoming a household name in the world of junior competitive racing, Lady Eleanor Holles have become very good at forming racing crews. The last WJ15 8+ missing out on third by 3 seconds at the 2023 National Schools Regatta: with a drive to finally win that medal, these crews have begun to prove their work ethic already. The recent Hampton Head proved that this crew is well on their way to success where one of their eights beat Henley and was 2 seconds off the Sir William Perkins boat. They will be sure to ruffle some feathers at Wallingford.
Latymer Upper School Boat Club
From previous events this season, Latymer Upper has decided to narrow down their boats to just the first eight. Putting their best athletes forward after a 14th and 16th place finish at Hampton, I think this decision will turn in their favour. They used this tactic at last years National Schools, where they split their two eights over the two bands. They managed to come away with a fourth and fifth place finish. After the start of the season, these boats may use the need to establish themselves to find a way to the final, finding the smaller entry of 12 crews an advantage.
Sir William Perkins School Rowing Club
Only recently joining the racing scene, these crews have already been making a stir. With a third place finish earlier in the year at Hampton Head, Sir William Perkins’ chances are looking very promising. Despite the change in discipline, some of these athletes have been able to transfer their skill and high endurance over to Junior Sculling Head gaining fifth in the octuple. This demonstrates the athletic potential the rowers have in a wide range of boats. I believe that the rest of the competition will have to try hard to knock this crew from the podium.
Wimbledon High School Boat Club
Though named last in the draw, this crew is nowhere near that title. After the previous clash of many of the entered crews at Hampton, Wimbledon came out on top. Despite the tight lead of 3 seconds over second place, Wimbledon managed to pull out in front. History seems to be repeating itself after the previous crew won at National Schools’ Regatta last year, making these crews even more likely to continue the streak. Wallingford can act as a stepping stone for these boats, seeing what they need to do to hold their position out in front going into the national level events.
Predictions
It may not be an entirely new field, but with a new racing environment, I think Sir William Perkins may overtake the Wimbledon crew, leaving them to battle for silver with Henley. I believe that Wimbledon may be able to sneak ahead, placing Henley in bronze. Despite their recent losses to the crews mentioned before, it will surely be a definite race for the line and an exciting one to watch!
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