As we begin the eagerly awaited run up into Henley Royal Regatta, Wallingford never fails to deliver a strong opener to each Regatta season. This championship level group of coxless fours could very well provide some of the most exciting racing of the day on Sunday. Multiple entries from most of the clubs in this event raises the question of intersquad competition, which this early on in the season could be a vital opportunity for each athlete to stake their claim as we charge forward into the summer.
Leander
With three crews entered into this event, Leander are looking like the hot favourites to retain the title, after Leander’s only entry last year beat Thames by less than a second to claim the win. Following this, at Henley Women’s Regatta last summer they fought through the rounds and emerged victorious in The Avril Vellacott Cup for championship coxless fours. More recently at the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race, Leander ‘A’ managed to open up a margin of 7.9 seconds and take the win over Thames ‘A’, while also placing all four of their racing crews in the top ten. This incredible accomplishment will fuel them well this Sunday as they aim to further push all three boats to perform.
Thames
Thames are the only other club entering three crews into this event this weekend. They also competed at HWR last year in the championship coxless fours but were unfortunately knocked out in the penultimate round. This season, as mentioned above, they finished second to Leander at WEHORR, and also achieved an astonishing placement of six crews in the top 38. Similarly, at Wallingford last year, they claimed both second and third, further highlighting the strength and breadth of the programme year on year. All of the three Thames crews will be preparing to fight to the line this Sunday and could produce one of the closest and most exhilarating finals all day.
London
With only one entry into this event, London could be signalling an early intention to target The Lester Trophy for aspirational club coxless fours at HWR. After a historic win in the event last year, London will be eager to prove their emerging women’s squad can deliver a similar result this year and perhaps push up into the championship category. And after placing 13th and 22nd at WEHORR plus winning the senior pennant, they are already biting at the heels of both Leader and Thames this season. I would love to see this crew progress into the final on Sunday, and bring the fight to Leader and Thames.
Nottingham
Nottingham have two crews ready to race this event on Sunday. And could very well be a club aiming for the club coxless fours at HWR again this year, after making a round last summer. This season so far, their ‘A’ boat finished 34th at WEHORR and claimed the provincial club pennant, a promising result for the club that rewards their hard work. Yet, with extremely tough competition this year from highly dominating clubs, both Nottingham crews are going to have to bring something special on Sunday to progress into the final.
Vesta
Another Tideway based crew fielding two crews is Vesta. The pride and determination of Vesta’s athletes always lends well into rooting for Vesta as the underdogs on the Tideway scene. With a strong placing of 46th and 58th for their top two crews at WEHORR, Vesta have ended their winter Head season strong. This weekend will soon reveal if the transition into Regatta season has been successful, as they will surely be aiming to produce some solid times heading into the summer.
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston Grammar are the only school crew entered into this event and could likely be using this event to gain race experience before the larger summer Regattas. For a clear comparison we can look to WEHORR, where they placed a highly respectable 83rd and will therefore well and truly be the underdogs of this event on Sunday. I can’t wait for them to bring the fight this weekend, and hopefully produce close racing across the entirety of this category.
Predictions
I expect a battle for the win to be primarily between Leander and Thames, with all crews fighting to take both the top spot and place as many of their own club’s crews in the top three. I would also not be surprised for London to stay in an amongst this fight, promising an exciting, down to the wire, race on Sunday.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
