Wednesday Reviews
Shiplake College B.C. v Mercantile Rowing Club, AUS
While Mercantile Rowing Club entered this year’s Regatta as a club anticipated to do well, they left with the sting of the bees from Shiplake College. The impressive showing from Shiplake College saw them lead Mercantile Rowing Club from start to finish, stretching out from just over a canvas at the Barrier to clear water by Fawley, shutting the door to any possible Australian advances. The Shiplake Girls remained sharp and practical while having a comfortable lead, showing their maturity, carrying them through the week.
Latymer Upper School v Henley R.C.
Latymer Upper School entirely took this race by the horns and walked out to a one length lead over the prestigious Henley R.C. Responses were made between the Barrier and Fawley by Henley but were quickly responded to and put to bed by Latymer Upper School, allowing them to stretch out to a one-and-three-quarter-length lead over Henley. While the local girls stayed composed throughout the race, the outfit from Latymer Upper School had superior poise, allowing them to remain sharp and well-connected as they produced a long and consistent rhythm.
Tideway Scullers’ School v Newport Aquatic Center, USA
Genuinely a thrilling race to watch, Newport Aquatic Center raced from two thirds of a length down to coming back by the progress boards to half a length up on Tideway Scullers School. The two teams of girls set each other ablaze with constant attacks and responses all the way down the course. In the end, the ladies from the States got the better of the Thames natives, finishing two thirds of a length up, progressing through to the business end of the Regatta.
Friday Previews
Headington School v Newport Aquatic Center, USA
The two national silver medalists from opposite sides of the pond, this is set to be one of the highlight races for the day in my opinion, these two crews have proved their class already and will be sure to set the course alight on Friday. While on paper these crews seem fairly matched, I am falling on one side of the fence after seeing both from the press box today, and I’m backing the British. The girls from Headington should use their superior technical ability to weather the forecasted wind for Friday and sail into the weekend.
Latymer Upper School v Kinross Wolaroi School, AUS
Tideway natives and a long-standing example of quality British rowing, Latymer Upper School, take on the New South Wales state champions of Kinross Wolaroi School. These Australians are showing impressive force in this regatta, and despite being an incredibly young crew (there are four J16s who’ve made the long journey) they have certainly held their own against some of the tougher crews present in the event. However, from the press box today Latymer look infallible in their technique and poise. I think this will give them the advantage they need to progress to the weekend of Henley Royal Regatta.
Shiplake College v Saugatuck R.C., USA
Saugatuck have provided some exhilarating racing this Regatta, overturning Wallingford in a hotly contested race. Having placed well at the US Youth Nationals, they are a classy outfit and should not be underestimated in this race. However, National Champions, Shiplake College I imagine are remarkably unphased by the American offering and, provided they continue to show the technical prowess and, more importantly, sheer power that they have been exhibiting so far, they should dispatch Saugatuck with some fire behind their blades.
