Across The Line: Junior Head North sees 2026 racing spring into life
We have lift-off for 2026! Your weekly roundup of racing action from across the UK is back
We’re Across The Line! The first weekly racing round up is back for 2026.
Windsor’s green and gold shines bright on the River Weaver.
A new year brings new adventures and new opportunities. However, some things remain steadfast. The Windsor Boys’ School BC opened their 2026 account in a similar fashion to what we saw over the past 12 months. Across the two divisions that raced on the River Weaver, the school left with 10 victories, including the Open J16, J17, and J16 Quadruple Sculls in both the morning and the afternoon. Their top Quadruple sculls were so dominant that they beat Dulwich College BC, who won both Open J18 Eight categories.
Hosted by Runcorn RC, the Junior Head (North) was the first race of the season after several events fell victim to bleak weather early in the year. Division 1 saw 58 boats racing over 6000m, while the second division, over the shorter 3650m, welcomed 100 crews from across the country.
Mark Wilkinson’s crews also showed off their sweeping prowess, picking up two wins in the Open J18 Coxed Fours, beating Nottingham and Union BC in the second division. Not to be outdone, their J15s picked up the Open Octo win in division 1 as well as the Coxed Quad title a few hours later.
Speaking of Nottingham’s black and white outfit, Notts and Union won a brace of categories in the morning. Their J16 girls beat the King’s School Chester BC to win in the Eight while their boys outclassed St Peter’s School BC and Warrington RC in the J16 Band 2 Quadruple Sculls.
Racing on their home water, Runcorn RC would also celebrate some success in the damp conditions as their WJ16 Coxless Four picked up silverware.
Elsewhere, Leeds RC and The Grange School went home with a quartet of wins each. The latter, who also call the River Weaver home, picked up a trio of wins over the short course as their J14 boys and girls stepped up and shone. The school won both the Open and Women’s Octos, in addition to their win in the Band 2 J18 Quads. In the morning, not to be outdone, their girls won the J18 Quadruple Sculls.
Leeds RC made the 70-mile drive home after winning both the WJ15 and Open J16 Eights in the morning to go with their WJ14 Coxed Quadruple Scull and WJ18 Quad title in the afternoon.
Credit: AllMarkOne
“I was very much taken by surprise”: York City RC’s Phil Jones on British Empire Medal award
Fergus Mainland caught up with the York City RC stalwart who has been awarded the honour for his services to rowing and young people in York
Social Spotlight: Snow day approved!
The British Rowing Travel Cup has passed the test. Pick yours up from the British Rowing Shop for just £18!
As a British Rowing member, you’ll find credit in your basket to help with your first purchase from the British Rowing Shop! Head to the “Mber + Shop tile” via JustGo to claim.
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That’s all from Across The Line this week!
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