The British Rowing Junior and Senior Championships mark for many the end of the summer racing season. This year’s regatta is even more important for the junior athletes after the cancellation of many of their events at the earlier National Schools’ Regatta. For many, this may be the first time many of the athletes will be able to race one another at the National Water Sports Centre, a temperamental though well-loved course. A standout category in my eyes is the women’s Junior 16 quads, and with the current leading crew Marlow not entered, it is all to play for.
Lea Rowing Club
With two crews entered in this event, Lea Rowing Club is doubling up their chances of success. Starting the season off strong, these girls came away with a tenth place at the Junior Sculling Head. They have not stopped there, moving their way up regarding side-by-side racing to a fourth-place finish at the Junior Sculling Regatta. This steady improvement over the season is hopefully going to be continued and will surely pay off heading into the weekend. However, with the looks of a few changes in the crews racing, this provides an insight into how the speeds of these boats may be better than we could ever imagine. With this adding unpredictability for their competitors, I am sure these girls will head in with a newfound confidence.
Cantabrigian Rowing Club
A strong entry comes from this crew. Though not commonly seen on the racing circuit in this boat class, this crew is not lacking in racing experience. Many may recognise two members of the crew, Trapmore and Hutton, for being especially skilled in small boats. Holding a winning streak in the double at the British Championships for the previous two years, these girls have a multitude of medals to their names, earning a bronze at this year’s Junior Interregional Regatta. With this level of experience on board, I am sure this boat will make a feature in the A-final. However, it is not just these two that make this crew stand out. The remaining members are just as hard working and determined to succeed. With this crew previously positioning seventh at the Junior Sculling Head, I am sure they are all striving to reach the medal podium this time around.
City of Bristol Rowing Club
The current holders of the WJ15 4x+, this crew knows how to pull it out of the bag at these championships. City of Bristol Rowing Club is one of the leading clubs in its region, producing excellent junior crews which always perform highly, with this one being no exception. This entire season, these four have continued their upward trajectory from last season, coming away with both a bronze at the Junior Sculling Regatta and Junior Interregional Regatta. Being known for their amazing comebacks in a side-by-side, these girls are always prepared to throw everything into a close race. And now, after coming fourth at the Junior 16 GB vs France Trials, I am sure these girls will want to pick up their successful streak once again, and try to take the title.
Nottingham County Rowing Association
Heading in as the home crew of the regatta, this crew have seen the worst of what the National Water Sports Centre has to offer and will be prepared for what will be thrown at them. Heading into the championships as the home favourites, they have the previous performances to back them up. Having not only earned a silver representing the region of the East Midlands earlier this year, but these girls also placed third at the GB vs France trials held earlier this month. I am sure that these four will have something very special up their sleeves and will no doubt put up a tough fight against whoever they come up against.
George Heriot’s School Rowing Club
After not gaining GB vs France selection by just three seconds, I am sure this crew will be hunting for success this weekend. Though they narrowly missed out, that does not take away from the absolute powerhouse this quad from George Heriot’s School Rowing Club has been this whole season. Starting off strong with a silver at the Junior Sculling Head, they proved their ability to dig deep in a time trial to push ahead of the following crew by five seconds. Their prowess followed them into side by side, taking the victory at the Junior Interregional Regatta, where they represented Scotland. With previous wins over many of the crews racing them once again, they are strong favourites heading into the event, and alongside this string of impressive results, this should provide them all confidence to put on another excellent performance.
Honourable Mentions
As winners of the B-final at the Junior Sculling Regatta, I feel Wallingford Rowing Club will make a feature in this event’s A-final. This crew has been consistent over this season, and I feel that this will pay off this weekend. Another crew I expect to be in the A-final is Great Marlow School Boat Club. After competing up an age group last year at Henley Women’s Regatta and making it through to the heats, I feel this crew have more to offer after their slow start at Junior Sculling Head earlier this year. I look forward to hopefully seeing them fulfil their potential and finish the season off strong.
Predictions
The nature of multi-lane racing always provides an opportunity for underdog crews to come through and blow the competition out of the water; however, I feel that the crew from George Heriot’s School have what it takes to control the race and come away with the gold. With the previous results that Nottingham County have produced this season, I think they will follow close behind, leaving City of Bristol to add to their collection of bronze medals from this season.
