This weekend marks the Dutch race of the coxswains: the Head of the River Amstel. Over roughly 8 kilometers, this head race demands precise steering and tightly cut corners. Strong coxing can make a decisive difference, which makes it one of the most exciting races of the year. The event is part of the first-year rankings, making it the second race of the season for these crews.
Laga
At the WinterWedstrijden, the men of Laga immediately set the standard. They won the 5-kilometer race in Delft by an impressive margin of 27.9 seconds. Although the race took place on their home water, which may have provided some advantage, winning their debut by nearly half a minute is a strong sign heading into the Head.
Njord
The men of Njord finished second at the WinterWedstrijden. Based on the times, it appears that they lost most of their ground in the second half of the race. As the Head is several kilometers longer, it will be interesting to see whether this crew can maintain their position or face stronger pressure over the extended distance.
Nereus
The Amsterdam-based men of Nereus finished third at the WinterWedstrijden, just 3.4 seconds behind Njord overall. With the Head taking place on their home water, where their cox is undoubtedly very familiar with the technical turns, the battle for second place between Nereus and Njord could be particularly close.
Prediction
Based on the WinterWedstrijden results, it seems unlikely that another crew will break into the top three. The fourth-place crew finished more than 13 seconds behind Nereus. Given the exceptional time Laga set in their first race, I predict that Laga will take the win in Amsterdam. The fight for second and third place is likely to be a tight contest between Njord and Nereus.
