As a field full of talent, the women’s Junior 18 single race this year is going to be fast-paced with plenty of close racing. With so many skilled athletes competing, it’s going to be a challenge to get into the A final, never mind the actual medals.
Hartpury University and College Boat Club
Not only a talented single sculler, Jane’s is a force to be reckoned with in the double. After an amazing last season, she can boast winning at the France vs GB Match, as well as taking gold in the 2024 National Schools’ Regatta in the Junior 16 Doubles. Jane’s also competed in the WJ16 1x last year, coming third behind Barn Elms and Warrington Rowing Club, which I believe will lead to some very close racing this weekend.
Warrington Rowing Club
Having placed third at the National Schools’ Regatta this year in extremely challenging conditions, Brittles certainly has the technique to do well in potentially windy conditions. The rivalry will be back as she will once again be up against the athletes from the A-final at the National Schools’ Regatta. Will she be able to move up the medals? She also has the benefit of medalling in the WJ16 single last year, so she knows what it takes to get a medal at the British Rowing Junior and Senior Club Championships.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
Despite capsizing at the National Schools Regatta, McDougall was certainly en route to a medal. Taking an assertive win in the time trial suggests that if she can display this strength again this weekend, she is definitely within a chance of gold and winning a dry robe on Saturday. It will be exciting to see how she will fare in the final against other top singles from the National Schools’ Regatta.
Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club
With two scullers entered into this race, Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club have doubled their chance of success. From coming fifth in the National Schools’ Regatta time trial to winning the A-final, Palmer will be going for gold. After such an impressive jump to the top spot, showing her abilities in side-by-side racing, hopefully, she does not fall behind in the time trial, so she can still get that coveted gold medal. The other sculler, Youlton, placed second at Henley Women’s Regatta, and therefore is an athlete to keep an eye out for. She may not have performed her best at the National Schools’ Regatta, but we can’t overlook that she has consistently been at the top of her game. Last year she represented Wales in the single at HIRR, showing she is strong enough to fight for those top places.
Predictions
With many more top athletes from clubs such as Hexham Rowing Club, Sunderland Rowing Club, and Walton Rowing Club, who all have a large pile of national medals under their name, it really is a challenge to predict who will be taking those top spots this weekend. Despite this, I believe McDougall will take gold, followed by a tussle between Warrington and the Tideway Scullers School for the silver and bronze medals. Finishing off the A-final will be Hartpury, Walton and an exciting fight between the two Chester-le-Street girls..
