And just like that, the regatta season is upon us. This bank holiday marks the start of junior racing this summer and looks like an event to remember. Clubs are now emerging from the shadows of winter, ready to test their mettle against the best and boldest the nation has to offer
Ribbens – Bewl Bridge Rowing Club
Ribbens is a name that people will be familiar with from the past three years. He has dominated the domestic scene in recent memory, winning the Junior Sculling Regatta in 2022, 2023, and 2024 in the single scull as he has risen through the age categories. This marks him as a firm contender to finish his clean sweep of the Junior Sculling Regatta, a feat no sculler has completed previously.
Bakewell – Trentham Boat Club
Previously competing in the coxless quads events, Bakewell is stepping away from the larger boats and looking to prove himself in the single. Leading out the time trial, he will be able to survey the competition and ensure that the scullers behind him keep a comfortable and ever-increasing distance. Considering Bakewell was in the top quad for Trentham Boat Club, this move to the single could indicate that there has been a new facet of speed found within this athlete; all shall be revealed on Monday.
Green – St Peter’s School Boat Club
Green is a true giant of the sport. Standing at a whopping 6ft 7in, he towers over the competition, placing well at the most recent Olympic pathway regatta. There is a lot of potential for this young sculler, as his results have steadily improved over the time he has competed at the Junior 18 level. I consider this the starting point of attaching silverware-bound rewards to his efforts.
Urbanski – Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club
Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club is a club that should create nervousness whenever their name appears on the entry roster. Over the past five years, they have produced some exceptionally classy and, most importantly, quick crews seemingly from thin air. Now we all know that this is a result of tireless work from behind the scenes, but it has been some time now since we have seen the results I have come to expect from Hereford Cathedral school, like two scullers in the A-final of championship singles at the National Schools’ Regatta 2023. Could this be the beginning of a resurgence, I think we could see some magic this coming week.
Predictions
I think I would be foolish not to predict the gold medal to Ribbens comfortably. The silver, I believe, is likely to be a tussle between Green and the other two scullers mentioned, with him taking the spot by a tight margin. For the bronze medal, I think we will be in for a real treat for some spectating, but if I were a better, then I would have my money on Urbanski for the bronze medal.
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