Raced on the River Thames since 1830, the Wingfield Sculls men’s race hosts six outstanding athletes this year. Taking place on the championship course best known for the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, the scullers will race side-by-side the weekend before many depart for GB trials.
Marlow Rowing Club: Bryn Ellery
Bryn Ellery is a titan of the sport of rowing. Since winning at Henley Royal Regatta and in several national and international competitions at Windsor Boys, he has continually been a contender at GB trials. Winning gold in the double scull at Marlow Regatta this summer and coming an impressive fifth at Vesta Sculler’s Head, Ellery is on the rise once again and is one to watch on the Middlesex bank.
London Rowing Club: Rui Xu
As the only international competitor, Rui Xu looks to do Canada proud once again in this prestigious event. Xu finished fourth and third in 2021 and 2024, respectively, and he returns to the Wingfield Sculls this year on the back of an impressive summer season. Xu’s coxless four blew away all competition in The Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley, and he will be looking for his first big win on the Tideway since he dominated Vesta Scullers Head back in 2022.
Leander Club: George Bourne
As George Bourne thunders towards Hammersmith Bridge this weekend, he may remember the turning point of his Boat Race win with the University of Cambridge earlier this year. It was on this stretch that Bourne first drew level with the University of Oxford’s bow ball. He then powered his crew to a decisive victory from the engine room of the five-seat. Since graduating, Bourne followed a spirited Grand Challenge Cup campaign with a gold medal in the four at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai.
Twickenham Rowing Club: Callum Dixon
A late convert to rowing from roots as a nationally recognised sailor, Callum Dixon’s rapid rise through the sport is a truly inspiring story. Representing the club where he learned to row just six years ago, Dixon looks to build on an impressive season. He finished just outside of the medals for Team GB in Tokyo, but won The Queen Mother Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, and picked up silver at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai – all in the quadruple scull.
Reading University Boat Club: Matt Long
Matt Long is one of the foremost figures in GB’s next generation of rowing talent. He has consistently been the fastest U23 sculler at GB trials in recent years, and he qualifies for the Wingfield Sculls thanks to a convincing victory in Vesta Scullers Head a few weeks ago. It is a joy to watch this young athlete race at the top of his game, and some would already consider him one to watch on the road to LA 2028.
Lea Rowing Club: Max Raymond-Barker
After breaking onto the national rowing scene last season, Max Raymond-Barker completes the draw as a worthy competitor. He won in the single scull at the British Rowing Club Championships in 2024 and finished a close third in the same event this year. Having finished 23 seconds behind Long at Vesta Scullers Head, it will be exciting to see these two young scullers do battle once again along the Surrey bank.
Prediction
With such a talented array of athletes and a diverse range of rowing stories, all that can be said for sure is that this will be a fantastic race. While Xu and Bourne have impressive experience on the Tideway and a glittering string of results, I believe Callum Dixon, the in-form and specialist sculler, will bring home the win.
Robert A. McDonald
