Now that the competition season kicked off three weeks ago with the Winter Competitions, it’s time for the longest race of the season. The Head of the River Amstel starts in Oudekerk aan de Amstel. After eight long kilometers, the rowers cross the finish line. Opposite the K.A.Z.R.V De Hoop, they finally hear the final signal. Although the Deutschland Achter is participating in the men’s race, registrations for the Women’s Elite remain somewhat sparse. There is not even a Women’s Advanced field. Due to the absence of the top rowers, there is more room for up-and-coming talent to finally cross the finish line first.
A.G.S.R. Gyas
One of the most interesting combinations rowing this Saturday is the Gyas club boat. A mix of elite rowers, second-year rowers and an Olympic winner makes this boat a varied combination of rowers. Now we can only hope that the older rowers can pass on their experience to the first-year rowers.
A.A.S.R. Skøll
Rowing on your own water is always an advantage, but especially so in races on the Amstel. Skøll‘s home advantage is enormous. Not only can the rowers row the race exactly as they have practiced, but the coxswain has also been able to practice all the turns most often.
W.S.R. Argo
A boat that does not normally finish in the top three, but now has a real chance of doing so, is Argo‘s 8+. A combination of second- and third-year rowers, both of whom performed well last season, could well keep up with the rest of the field.
Prediction
The elite rowers in Gyas‘s 8+ alone will likely propel this boat to the finish line in first place. Skøll may benefit from home waters, but will likely have to concede defeat to Gyas’s 8+.
