This weekend, 27 of the best quads in the country battle it out to be crowned this year’s British Champion. This category continues to demonstrate the true speed of women’s sculling, so we are sure to see some intense, tight racing between these crews. Sadly, it may be the last junior race for many of these athletes, so they are certainly going to give everything on Sunday.
Sir William Perkins School / Wallingford Rowing Club
As the only crew on the start list that made the A-final back at the National Schools’ Regatta in challenging conditions, Sir William Perkins will undoubtedly be within reach of a medal this weekend. Having demonstrated their technical prowess on top of their extraordinary power at the National Schools’ Regatta, we know they have what it takes to obliterate the course at Nottingham. They also found success at Henley Women’s Regatta, where they made it through to the semifinals and were only beaten by the eventual winners. Featuring here in a composite crew with Wallingford certainly won’t slow them down, with Florence Schilizzi having competed at GB vs France last year and winning the British Championships in the women’s Junior 16 quad.
Hartpury University and College Boat Club
Having two crews entered into this category shows the depth of the squad at Hartpury. This is an almost identical crew to the one that placed third in the B-final at the National Schools’ Regatta, so these girls certainly have the talent to move up to the A-final this weekend. Despite being a predominantly Junior 17 crew, they have numerous medals already up their sleeve, with Harriet Bray and Matilda Hudson-Hulls having medalled in the women’s Junior 16 quad last year at multiple national events, whilst Gracie Janes won the women’s Junior 16 double title at the National Schools’ Regatta. These successes show that the crew has plenty of experience leading finals; they just need to do it again this year.
Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association
Due to the distance they have to travel to make it down to these significant events, Aberdeen haven’t been spotted at many throughout the year. However, they were very successful at the National Schools’ Regatta, racing a coxed four to sixth in the A-final. If they can bring this strength across to the sculling side and provide the technique needed, they will surely be able to keep up with those top crews to edge into medal positions.
Tideway Scullers School
It will be interesting to see how this crew will do at the British Rowing Junior and Senior Club Championships, with only one returning member of the winning National Schools’ Regatta crew (likely due to international commitments). Due to the display TSS have put on this year, having also collected gold at the Schools’ Head of the River, I am led to believe that this crew will certainly be able to give the other quads a run for the money and sit comfortably in the A-final.
Prediction
With many of the top school crews missing, it’s pretty exciting to see who will get the opportunity for those prized medals. However, Sir William Perkins/Wallingford will take the gold medal, followed by a tussle between Hartpury and Tideway Scullers over the minor silverware.
