The Start Line: Worcester and St Neots are ready to rock and roll
Join us as we look ahead to a great weekend of racing across the UK
Welcome back to The Start Line! While Storm Amy makes land, we’re delighted that some racing is still able to happen this weekend
Back to Worcester for the Small Boats Head
Four weeks ago, Worcester RC had it’s annual Autumn Regatta. For some, the 800m racing will seem like a lifetime ago as they return to the Severn for 4500m of racing. The course weaves downstream from Camp Inn, Grimley to the Sabrina Bridge just past the Rowing Club.
The first division will see 109 crews take the the water travelling from across the country to compete. Leading off the day will be the Open J18 Quadruple Sculls featuring a local showdown as The King’s School Worcester BC go against RGS Worcester BC as well as strong competition from Haberdashers Monmouth School RC. Throughout the division, large entries come from Hereford Cathedral School BC, especially across the Women’s J5 Quadruple Sculls, and the Women’s J16 double Sculls.
The Open Coxed Fours is a wonderful melting pot of school boys, students and senior rowers. St Edward’s School BC make the trip from Oxford and will face the likes of Monmouth RC, hosts Worcester RC, and the students from the University of Birmingham.
Across the afternoon’s racing, there’s a healthy entry across the Women’s J18 and J16 Quadruple Sculls. Teddies will field one boat that will chase down two of the boats on home water from The King’s School as well as a pair of Quads from Haberdashers Monmouth School BC, leading off the category. On the J16 side of things, Hereford Cathedral School BC will be first through the start line racing similar clubs to those entered in the J18 event.
One of the largest events of the day will be the Open J18 Double Sculls. The King’s School Worcester BC will field five crews, more than half of the entry as they look to secure a win on their own stretch of water. Almost as big will be the Women’s J18 Single Scull. With multiple entries from Cheltenham Ladies College and from the local clubs it’s set to be a great contest.
Main Heads and Mini Heads at St Neots
Just like Worcester RC, St Neots RC have moved from hosting their popular regatta to their longer head race this weekend. The three divisions throughout the day feature a Main Head and a Mini Head. The Mini Head is aimed at rowers at the very beginning of their rowing careers and will follow at the end of each division finishing at the Rowing Club. Seniors who have previous racing experience are expected to race in the Main Head. Juniors who have competed at national events in any boat or won races at local regattas are expected to race in the Main Head.
Large entries from Lea RC, St Neots RC, and Huntingdon RC will make up the field in division one, featuring events such as the Women’s J17 Single Scull, and the Women’s Coxed Four. Lea RC’s Open Coxed Four will lead off the whole day.
Division two sees Sudbury RC, St Ives RC, and Peterborough City RC take to the water as 24 crews will race the Main Head. Both St Neots RC and Huntingdon BC will have entries in the Mixed Quadruple Sculls while St Ives RC, Lea RC, and Sudbury RC will race on the Open Single Scull.
St Neots RC’s Masters E Quadruple Scull will be the first crew down the track in division three. It will also feature the Women’s Double Sculls, the Open J17 Single Scull, and the Women’s J18 Double Sculls.
What else is on this weekend?
- Burton Head
- Avon Bluefriars SBH CANCELLED, Due to high winds forecast
- Tyne LDS (Northern Sculling Series) CANCELLED, Due to high winds forecast
- Pairs Head CANCELLED, Due to high winds forecast
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That’s all from The Start Line this week!
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