This weekend, seven scullers head to south-west London in the hopes of taking home some gold in what will prove to be a contested race. This category is filled with talent, and it appears to be contested between just three schools and clubs. Some of the scullers will be looking to beat some older and more experienced athletes and walk away with the top spot. It promises to be an interesting watch come this Saturday.
Sir William Borlase School Boat Club
A well-established rowing school with a rich history, Sir William Borlase School Boat Club are no stranger to the rowing scene. They have entered four of their top scullers into this event, with the intention of coming away with the win. Having focused heavily on sculling, this programme has already given these athletes a significant advantage in the race on Saturday. While their success may have been limited last season, they are no stranger to this event. A notable talent to watch out for will be Hodek. Having raced in the Junior 16 category last year, he is no stranger to the course and could be on the cards to walk away with the win this weekend.
Claires Court School Boat Club
An established presence in the junior rowing scene, Claires Court School Boat Club are looking to take home the top prize at this year’s event. They have a total of three scullers entered into this year’s race. In the mix are two of their standout scullers, Shoukry and Garston, aiming to challenge for top honours. With an established programme, these athletes are well-prepared to tackle the course on Saturday. While they may not have dominated last season, Claires Court’s reputation and experience in sculling events mean they are certainly ones to watch. I would not be surprised if any three of the athletes hailing from the school walk away with the win this weekend.
City of Oxford Rowing Club
Another prominent club in British Rowing, City of Oxford Rowing Club, brings both tradition and ambition to this year’s event. Known for producing technically sharp and fiercely competitive athletes, their scullers are expected to feature strongly once again. The sole sculler this year is LeBlanc. After a solid showing last season, LeBlanc will be eager to convert experience into results and could well find themselves in contention for the top spot this weekend. With the course favouring a strong finish, City of Oxford will be looking to make their mark once more.
Prediction
This weekend promises intense racing and tight finishes. With all three clubs fielding talented athletes, we can expect an enthralling race head down the Kingston stretch. In my opinion, there are a few standout athletes who can steal the win. My prediction is:
- LeBlanc – City of Oxford Rowing Club
- Hodek – Sir William Borlase
- Shoukry – Claires Court School
