Following a closure last year, Hampton’s 3km stretch of the Thames will open itself to racing this weekend. With all fourteen competitors now in the final year of their junior careers, the women’s J18 singles will, without a doubt, produce some exciting results as these rowers work to leave a strong final impression in this category.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
The British champion in the single, McDougall of Barn Elms RC has had a phenomenal start to her J18 season. Off the back of a gold in the women’s eight at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, McDougall has gone on to take the most notable win in the junior women’s category at Scullers Head back in September, alongside a handful of smaller races since. Based on both this season and those previously, McDougall’s position of first in the draw will most likely translate to a first-place finish overall.
Claires Court School Boat Club
The line up of Hampton’s 2024 draw is mirrored this year, as Hobbs and Gater of Claires Court School BC round out the top three starting positions in this category. Hobbs, with a bronze in the WJ18 double at the 2025 British Rowing Junior Championships, has proved to be a sculler of considerable calibre, and her position of second in the seedings reflects this. Teammate Gater will follow her. Considering the depth and strength of the Claires Court programme, it would be surprising if we don’t see one of these girls in a podium spot.
St Peter’s School Boat Club
A lone entry from St Peter’s School Boat Club, Glyn-Mills , has been seeded fourth among her thirteen other competitors. Glyn-Mills raced the single at the 2025 National Schools’ Regatta, meaning she will be experienced with both the rough and calm waters that could present themselves on the Thames. Considering that she has been drawn ahead of Barn Elm’s Rimmer, Glyn-Mills’ performance will be one to look out for.
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club
Five athletes of Lady Eleanor Holles will be taking to the Thames in the single on Saturday, and it is likely that the quad that came second at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls in September and tied eighth at the inaugural Junior Fours Head earlier this month is composed of four of these scullers. Despite being placed relatively low in the draw, the girls of Lady Eleanor Holles will want to prove their capabilities to both themselves and their coaches, as it is reasonable to suggest that Hampton is being treated as an additional seat race. With Kelly leading her teammates, it will be exciting to see how they all fare against one another.
Prediction
Overall, first place will most likely go to McDougall. A tussle could well happen between the scullers of Claires Court, St Peter’s and Lady Eleanor Holles for second and third, but I would certainly place one of the Claires Court scullers to be taking one of those spots.
