By james art Durham events are always a highlight of the calendar for local racers, with this stretch hosting the largest regatta in the region. This weekend follows the same pattern seen over the summer with up to eight crews competing in some races. Due to the large number of entries, previews are only written for those with over five entries. In the larger boat classes it is always a challenge to correctly predict the results at Durham heads due to the Elvet Bridge which causes a lot of capsizing and crashes which tends to affect the results significantly – it just makes it all the more exciting to watch.
Fours
Open Mas CDEFH Fours
With six crews battling it out down the River Wear, both experience and strength will pay off big in the shorter race. Departure is second Tees RC Atherton, which is likely to be a similar crew to the one that took the exceptional fastest time in the MasCDEG quads at Wansbeck, suggesting great prowess in the quads. I’m sure that Hexham RC’s going four first would make for a strong race, not allowing Thies to take the last LDS medal on offer too easily. Tolkien Tarn there could also be the potential for top spots in this race, with the club regularly sending dedicated masters crews for their early morning races.
Open J15 Quads
This category features five student crews, which means intense competition. Not all of these crews have competed against each other this season, but Yarm‘s, the Ashworth crew took a promising win on their local river in the Tees LDS, winning Queen Elizabeth High School significantly in the process. Maybe they can be faster on the two kilometer stretch and up their game this Saturday.
Couples
Open J18 Doubles
With six crews competing in this category, it will undoubtedly be one of the fastest junior boat classes. We are sure to have more intense races ahead. First to go are the crews from Yorkshire Yarm school and T-shirts RC. The Yarm crew raced the Tees LDS recently where they were the fastest double of the day, a course record I’m sure they want to keep in Durham. With the potential for management to throw a wrench in the works, will this hold them back or lead them back to success?
Open J16 Doubles
In the Youth 16 Scull pair, we see many more crews battling it out from Prebends Bridge over the 1.8km course. It’s the first start Hexham Rowing Clubas one of the crew of this double won gold at the British Rowing Championships in the double J15. I’m sure the crew is looking forward to another strong race. This pair placed second in the Tees Long Distance Sculls, showing a good, albeit new, partnership. Following them down the course is Durham School Boat Club Chaytor who raced a fortnight ago in the Tyne LDS and also came second.
Women’s J16 Doubles
In the women’s version of the above competition, Tees Rowing Club lead the cohort down the course; this club tends to be very strong, especially during the winter races, possibly due to its impressive stretch of river. So we look forward to seeing what results this crew can achieve on Saturday. With two Durham School the crews entering this race are open to speculation as to whether they are the same athletes who competed in the two pairs on the Tees, both of whom placed well despite the very large field of competitors. It will be interesting to see if the local school’s knowledge of the course helps them take the win this weekend.
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Open J18 and J16 Singles
With many competitors competing in the boys singles, it is difficult to predict who will win this Saturday. Tees Rowing Club, Williams is the leader in the small boats and as a very experienced athlete with very strong results behind him, he should be able to maintain this lead throughout the race. Next up are two athletes from Yarm School who look to be equal in speed so there should be a battle for second place. In the younger age groups, Mosley on Durham strives to catch up with the older boys and then two Queen Elizabeth High school boys, following a similar pattern to Junior 18 singles.
Women J16 Individual
Departure is second Smith from Tolkien Tarn who is a powerful athlete having won the Hexham Regatta this summer while competing in an age category. She follows Tute from Durham School down the course who is again very experienced in the single locally as well as part of the Junior 15 Coxed Four who made the B-final at the National Schools Regatta this summer. Watching these younger athletes is always very exciting and we should see much more success from these girls.
Masters CDEGH individual women
Five crews but only two clubs are part of this competition, with three of the Durham ARC and two of Hexham Rowing Club. This tough competition should provide some very close times with intense competition between these athletes, some of whom have outstanding multi-medal experience.
Open J15 Singles
Boasting an impressive eight crews in this category, this is sure to be an exciting event and an excellent opportunity to gain a bit more experience against good competition amongst each other. Cain from Queen Elizabeth High School should certainly be high on the scoresheet, with a good collection of trophies from his single and crewed boats.
Conclusion
Overall, this weekend looks to be an exciting lineup with plenty of races to keep an eye on as they go down the track. It will be great to see who becomes the favorite for the season going into the winter training block and how the races go at this early stage of the racing calendar.
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