Wednesday Reviews
Norcal Crew, USA v Shiplake College
Shiplake College kept this one simple; they got out to a half length lead over Norcal Crew by the End of the Island, and continued to display their dominance through the Barrier and the Fawley, stretching out to a two-length lead, at which point they brought their intensity and work rate down, conscious that tougher test lie ahead.
St. Paul’s School v King’s College School, Wimbledon
I think this race must start with a testament to the losing crew. The boys of KCS can hold their heads high, keeping in contact with St Paul’s, who are a potential contender for the overall win. St Paul’s clawed out to half a length by the Fawley, but KCS refused to accept it. They made move after move and didn’t allow St Paul’s to falter for a second; they couldn’t stretch out their lead to as much as they may have liked. But ultimately, Paul’s took it and they move into Friday.
St. Ignatius’ College, AUS v Hampton School
A highly anticipated crew, the boys from Hampton comfortably dispatched the Australian national champions. They led from the word go, half a length up from the Barrier, and Hampton did not let up. Hampton showed up today and seemed to have significantly improved from their fourth-place finish at the National Schools’ Regatta. With a day off tomorrow for the boys in yellow, they wanted to send a statement to their future opponents, and it’s clear to say that statement was seen and heard throughout the world.
Friday previews
St. Paul’s School v Eton College
A derby as old as the The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup Challenge Cup itself, the two largest bastions of junior sweeping in the country have the opportunity to race head to head, with many returners and international pedigree in the Eton College boat, they will be looking to challenge St Paul’s who are guarding giants of the sport – including star athlete Alp Karadogan – and put to rest an age old rivalry for another year. In this case, I think the finesse of the St Paul’s crew may prove too much for Eton to handle.
Radley College v Marin R.A., USA
Marin R.A initially looked to be having a closer race than one may have expected against Reading Blue Coat School, but ultimately showed their class stretching out through the middle section of the course to win by one and a third lengths. Radley College looked relaxed in their win over Latymer Upper School on Wednesday, and should be feeling confident heading into Thursday, but will have to stay sharp to defeat Marin R.A.
St Edward’s School v Hampton School
On paper, given previous results in the season, Hampton may seem to have this race firmly on their side but do not underestimate St Edward’s, their ‘Big Dog Mentality’ – Xeni Chapman and their unbreakable bond within the crew has allowed them to gain much speed since the National Schools’ Regatta; they give me the impression of more of a family than a crew, and for this reason I think they will do anything to get their bowball in front, which I am confident they will.
