The pinnacle of the junior rowing season has returned once again. Will a change in location to Nottingham this year affect the usual leading crews? The second quad event at the National Schools’ Regatta hosts a challenge for athletes just behind the leading members of each club, while the standard remains high. 17 crews will battle through a time trial to begin the Politzer Cup for open second quads, with the top six going straight to the top final. This event is the true test of depth within large clubs.
Great Marlow School Boat Club
Bronze medallists from this event last year, Great Marlow School Boat Club solidified themselves in the top three crews by almost 20 seconds. This is an obvious reason for them to be labelled as favourites for the event. None of their competitors who beat them have returned this year, which leaves the door to gold wide open. Their top quad has been looking impressively strong this season with a third-place finish at Wallingford Regatta and a second-place finish at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head. I expect their second crew to be ahead of the other boats competing.
King’s School Worcester Boat Club
After a narrow miss to the medals last year, finishing in fourth place, King’s School Worcester Boat Club are always a crew to watch in the events that challenge depth. After a successful training camp north of the border, will KSW be able to lay down some speed on the Saturday at Holme Pierrepont? King’s Worcester have also demonstrated speed on the rowing machines at the British Rowing Indoor Championships, after winning three medals at the event in all different categories.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
A club always worth looking out for in boys’ sculling is Maidenhead Rowing Club. Their persistence in entering the quadruple sculls event is a testament to their junior squad’s depth. Fifth place last year in this event surely puts them in contention for a medal in this new year. Although more distance is enforced on them to travel to the race, I believe Maidenhead will be capable of repeating some of their success in previous years.
George Watson’s College Boat Club
The only crew north of England to enter is George Watson’s College Boat Club, who have also entered their top crew into the championship quads. Having finished in the middle of the table at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, Watson’s will surely be looking to dominate the field when no championship-level crews can be reckoned with. A standout athlete in their squad is Ezra Ferguson, who was in the top six scullers at the U19 GB Trials group and will likely represent GB in the season’s closing event. Will Ferguson be able to lead this team to success in both quadruple scull events?
Predictions
First – Great Marlow School Boat Club
Second – George Watson’s College Boat Club
Third – Kings School Worcester Boat Club
Fourth – Maidenhead Rowing Club
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