Off the back of Wallingford Regatta, Eton Dorney is now graced with the presence of Britain’s finest scullers at the Junior Sculling Regatta. A sweep purist’s worst nightmare, there is sure to be good competition throughout the day, especially in the open doubles category.
The Windsor Boys’ School
First to mention are the two Windsor Boys’ School entries: Taylor and Taylor and Elliot and Thomson. Both are set to be strong pairs; in the former, there is a bronze medallist from the C-final at the U19 GB Trial Regatta on 27 April. An inter-squad dynamic will also be on show between these two as both will want to show their true potential to themselves and their coaches.
Tideway Scullers School
Another GB trialist in this double is Karklins; this double will look to vie for a podium place. Hailing from Tideway Sculler School, a venerable institution of the sculling scene in the UK, where they will no doubt have received extremely high-level coaching, there is no doubt that their performance will be of note.
Hinksey Sculling School
Omnipresent on the UK domestic scene, Hinksey has gone from strength to strength under the stewardship of Director of Rowing Bodo Schulenburg and his team. This crew in particular is packed with promise, with the dynamic combination of William Fletcher and Ivan Kuzmin beginning their second season in the double together. Last year at National Schools’ Regatta, they finished second in the B-final, punching well above their weight in the championship category. Regional successes so far this season – likely including Hinksey’s win in the club junior pennant at the Schools’ Head of the River – will have given this duo confidence as they head into the first ‘real’ test of the summer season.
Notable mentions
Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow Rowing Club, and Oundle School have all entered boats into this category, making competition for the A-final stiff; all three are staples of top-tier finals throughout the season. Come race day, I expect almost every crew to be vying for a place in the final.
Prediction
As one of the most popular boat categories across the world, the double scull bridges the gap between rowing as a team and solo sport. Each sculler accounts for half of the boat’s success or failure, so working as one will be key on the day. If I had to call it, I would say the Taylor pair from The Windsor Boys’ School are my favourites to take gold.
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