Tuesday Reviews
Henley R.C. vs Pangbourne College
The first Prince Philip heat of the day was a scorcher, both metaphorically and literally: With the temperature reaching 27 degrees by 10:00, Pangbourne put up a great fight for their place in the regatta. Pangbourne and Henley boast relatively young crews, Pangbourne having had to qualify on Friday to earn their place, with a new drive after they became the fastest non-qualifying crew at Henley Women’s. Henley took an early lead, establishing a base pace of 36, which took them to a three-quarter length lead at the Barrier, extending to two lengths by the Enclosures. After this, Henley dropped their rate to 34, and Pangbourne put in a final sprint to push the eventual verdict to one and three-quarter lengths. The race seemed to push both crews to the edge, with Henley looking like the heat was getting to them, and Pangbourne probably proud of putting down a solid performance.
Shrewsbury School vs Great Marlow School B.C.
Shrewsbury’s B crew, the eight, faced up to Great Marlow in the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy today. An impressive feat was accomplished by Shrewsbury, managing to qualify for both women’s junior eights and quads here. That, combined with leading by half a length by the barrier for their eight, was impressive. However, that was not the end of their race, with the lead being increased to one length at Fawley, but after a push by great Marlow, this was reduced to two-thirds of a length. In an attempt to regain the lost ground, Shrewsbury strayed onto the wrong side of the course, and were warned by the Stewards to correct their line. By the end of the race, Shrewsbury had regained their lost ground, with the eventual verdict being one length, after a very exciting race, in which Great Marlow pushed Shrewsbury right to the line.
Sir William Perkins’ School vs Hinksey Sculling School
This race turned out in a pretty unexpected way. After their win last year at the National Schools’ Regatta, one may have expected more from this year’s Hinksey composition. Moreover, Perkins’ missed out on qualifying by over 15 seconds at Henley Women’s Regatta in the eight. That was, however, the opposite narrative from today’s race. Perkins’ had a lead of three-quarters of a length by the quarter mile, striking the same rate of 37 as Hinksey, they continued to stride. In the middle of the race, the margin reached a slight standstill, and it was Perkins who emerged victorious.
Wednesday Previews
Wallingford R.C. vs Saugatuck R.C., USA
Over the past few years, Wallingford have been improving exponentially, from GB-France Match Qualification to making National Schools’ A finals and placing fifth in the girls’ championship eights. However, to keep up with Saugatuck, who came fifth at the USRowing Youth National Championships. This seems to be a very fair match-up, and is likely to be a superb race. Wallingford carry a slight advantage even before the race starts, because, following being seeded because of their previous performances this season, did not have to race today so will be bringing their best on fresh legs. I anticipate this race being an extremely close call, but I think in the end, due to their knowledge of the course and fresh legs giving them an advantage, Wallingford will take the win by a narrow margin.
Latymer Upper School vs Henley R.C.
With Latymer having narrowly missed out on a medal at National Schools Regatta by a margin of ten seconds, we can imagine that was probably a prompt for them to step on in time for Henley Royal. Because of this result, they were seeded to automatically miss the first round of racing, giving them quite an advantage. Henley, however, will be hot on their heels, having not lived up to their usual standards this season, they will be attempting to make their mark at their last chance this week. Given the previous results that Henley have had in the eight this season, with an 11th place at Schools’ Head, I would predict Latymer Upper School to soundly beat them. However, Henley have always had a special ability to find something extra for side by side racing, the margin has the potential to be quite small, between the likely victors of the race: Latymer Upper School.
Tideway Scullers’ School vs Newport Aquatic Centre, USA
Tideway Scullers have fielded an eight as their second crew in this Regatta, instead prioritising the quad, but despite this, they still managed to absolutely dominate their first race, with a two-length lead by Fawley, which they eventually extended to a four-and-a-half-length victory. Newport were knocked out in the first round of the junior women’s fours at Henley Women’s Regatta by the eventual victor, Surbiton High School. Their quad was also knocked out in the first round. Given the prowess shown by Tideway today, I believe that it will be a close race that is hotly contested all the way down the course.
