This weekend, all eyes turn to the Highlands, as many crews will be making their way up north for the Inverness Head, the first major Scottish head race of 2025 and an early benchmark for the season ahead. With this race being used for GB U19 trials, many juniors hoping to secure a spot on Team GB will give it their all, and I cannot wait to see such competitive racing this weekend.
GB U19 Single Sculls Trials
Among the entries for the GB U19 single sculls trials, the strongest sculler looks to be Ezra Ferguson of George Watson’s College. His results and race experience over the past few seasons suggest that he will be a favourite to qualify. Notably, he has already represented Britain previously in the single at the GB v France J16 Match in 2024, where he beat his French opponent and secured a win for Great Britain. Other notable entries include Harris Fyffe and James Palmer of George Watson’s College, who have both proven themselves to be determined and competent scullers time and again; however, I cannot predict who will come out on top between these two.
Open Junior 18 Coxless Quads
In the open Junior 18 coxless quads category, the early favourites appear to be George Watson’s College, whose recent results suggest both a determination to do well, as well as a level of composure to keep themselves strong and efficient throughout their races. With a history of producing fast junior crews, they are expected to set the benchmark and could well be the crew to beat if they leave nothing behind on the course. Not far behind them, though, is George Heriots School, which may not have the same established reputation as the previous crew, but has shown enough early speed to be considered a serious contender. If they can translate raw power into rhythm over the full distance, they could apply real pressure on the favourites. Another crew worth keeping an eye on is St Andrew Boat Club; they enter with less expectation, but indicators suggest they could cause an upset. If their technical consistency holds and the conditions favour them, they have the potential to go for a medal and disrupt the predicted top order.
Open Junior 18 Double Sculls
The open Junior 18 double sculls field is shaping up to be an extremely competitive small-boats event this season, and the pairing that currently stands out in this race is Ezra Ferguson and James Palmer of George Watson’s College. Their past achievements, both individually and as a crew in other races, suggest a strong blend of power and efficiency. If they can translate that into a controlled race plan, they could set the standard for the rest of the field. Close behind them, however, are Harris Fyffe and Harry Vernon–Coyle of George Watson’s College, who look very capable of applying serious pressure. While they may not have the same history of medal-winning, the speed they both showed last season implies they have the potential to do well, especially if the chemistry in the boat continues to develop. One combination worth keeping an eye on is Andrew Teplechuk and Max Nussey of St Andrew Boat Club. They might not arrive with the same reputation as the frontrunners, but they possess the ability to disrupt predictions and place well. If they handle the conditions properly and hold speed through the second half of this race, they could move well above their seeding.
Open Junior 16 Double Sculls
The open Junior 16 double sculls event is always slightly more unpredictable than most, and this year is no exception. The pairing most likely to set the early benchmark appears to be Sandy Bain and Nicol Martin of Aberdeen Schools’ Rowing Association (ASRA), who come into the race with promising indicators from summer and autumn racing, and a clear level of composure beyond their age group. Having won the British Rowing Club Championships in the open Junior 15 double sculls this year, I do not doubt that this crew will do exceptionally well and potentially take gold if they maintain their technical discipline under pressure. Not far behind them are Ruairidh McNab and Rory Burden of George Watson’s College, a crew that has shown promising signs of strong boat chemistry and has achieved great results in the past. Having won the BRCC in the open Junior 14 double sculls in 2024, this crew will be hoping to push past the ASRA crew early on in the race to try and secure the win for themselves. A duo that could catch people off guard, however, is James Gilkison and Alex Hinov of The Glasgow Academy. They may arrive without significant reputation, but early hints suggest they could punch above their weight class. If they pace this race well and stay tidy throughout the middle, they have the potential to disrupt the front of the field.
Open Junior 16 Single Sculls
The open Junior 16 single sculls event promises to be one of the most thrilling events of the weekend, with six possible contenders to take the top spot in this event. The sculler currently looking strongest on paper is Ruairidh McNab of George Watson’s College. His technical proficiency and previous racing performances suggest he could control the race from the start if he executes a disciplined pacing strategy. Having won the British Rowing Club Championships in the open Junior 14 single sculls in 2024 and winning the open Junior 15 single sculls at the Scottish Rowing Championships this year, Ruairidh is familiar with victory and will be hoping to add another medal to his collection. Not far behind him is Shay Hammock of Inverness Rowing Club, who has demonstrated rapid improvement in the last year. While he may not have achieved the same results as the frontrunner in previous races, his mentality and newfound speed in the boat mean that he has the potential to make the podium and finish ranking high, if he can maintain form under pressure. One athlete to watch as a possible surprise is Rory Burden of George Watson’s College. He may enter with lower expectations, but indications such as rapidly improving water technique and boat speed suggest he could challenge the favourites. A clean, composed race could see him move up the rankings and cause an upset in the predicted finishing order.
