Nottingham City Regatta is an ideal opportunity for budding crews to test their speed before the National Schools’ Regatta in just over two weeks, and this year, more than ever, as the National Schools’ Regatta migrates to Nottingham for the first time since 2016. As a result, we can be promised a plethora of nail-biting racing between some of the fastest school crews across the six-lane, 2000 metre course of Holme Pierrepoint.
Shrewsbury School Boat Club
Recently returning from their second training camp of the season in Spain, Shrewsbury School Boat Club have been hot off the start blocks this regatta season, a trend I expect them to keep up this coming weekend. With T. Lloyd, who raced for GB last summer, stroking the quad, and M. Giulia-Costagliola, the multi-medal winner at her previous club Hartpury University and College Boat Club, backing her up at three, there is certainly no shortage of experience in this boat. Whilst these girls haven’t had a lack of success over the winter, regatta season is where Shrewsbury Boat Club really shine, evident by their battle to fourth place at the prestigious Wallingford Regatta just this past weekend, not to mention their astounding five second win at the National Schools’ Regatta last season in the coxless fours. Whilst some may be suspicious of their decision to swap from sweep to scull for this year, these girls have made it blatantly clear that they are more than capable of doing both to the highest standard. I predict that opposing crews will find it difficult to compete against Shrewsbury’s unparalleled experience this Saturday, giving the girls that extra advantage to push them onto the podium.
Sir William Perkins’s School Boat Club
A school renowned for their rowing prowess, Sir William Perkins’s School Boat Club will likely have their sights set on first place this weekend. Sir William Perkins’s School Boat Club is another club that demonstrated its ability at Wallingford, securing two out of three medals for the women’s junior doubles category, and winning by just under ten seconds. After such a notable opening to regatta season, I have no doubts that the Perkins girls will be filled with confidence this weekend, which will certainly give them an advantage over some of their less experienced competition. The podium is not unknown territory to Perkins, however, as they are excelling off the back of a monumental 2024 season, with five medals at the National Schools’ Regatta, and multiple athletes qualifying to race at the World Rowing Championships. I have full faith that the Perkins girls will settle for nothing less than another season like that, starting with Nottingham City Regatta.
Kew House School Boat Club
A school that is working hard to put itself on the map, Kew House School Boat Club has consistently proved that they can compete with and beat some of the most historically successful clubs. It is potentially an unusual decision to move towards quadruple sculls, which is perhaps the most competitive girls’ championship category, as arguably, their most recent successes have been in sweep, however, I don’t doubt that the girls will be able to translate their ability into sculling under the provision of head coach Patrick Graham. Furthermore, Sir William Perkins is not the only school to bring a World Rowing Championships athlete this weekend, as Kew House’s A. Thurnham helped the GB eight to silver last year. I’m excited to see what Kew House can bring to Nottingham, and how they will compete against more sculling-centred crews. I predict they may not be fighting for first, but should hope to be in close contention for the bronze.
Prediction
I predict that the fight for first place will be tight between Sir William Perkin’s School and Shrewsbury School, with Kew House School Boat Club and Oundle School Boat Club continuing the battle to fill the podium.
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