In its first-ever staging, the Junior Fours Head got off to a spectacular start, welcoming hundreds of young athletes to the Tideway on the world-famous championship course. In the light of so much cancellation over the last few years, it was a pleasure to see so many athletes make their way down towards Putney embankment in a new and specially configured race that featured the very best that Britain – and a handful of overseas visitors – could offer.
Filippi UK were proud partners of the event, and we were delighted to give away a brand new shell in a prize draw held at Thames Rowing Club during prizegiving. Supporting young athletes in their pursuit of on-water excellence is a cornerstone of the Filippi philosophy, and we were thrilled to be involved from the outset alongside our long-time partners, JRN.
Our results reflected our presence. We were the most successful boatbuilder in terms of medal placings, claiming 33% of top-three finishes and 50% of outright victories (5). Those wins included a double header in the open and women’s junior quad categories, thanks to sensational performances from Marlow Rowing Club. Under the careful tutelage of Pete Chambers, this junior outfit continues to go from strength to strength, and their double victory underlines their credentials as one of the country’s powerhouse programmes. The girls’ squad have had a particularly fast start to the 25/26 season, having already claimed the women’s youth quad title at the Head of the Charles in October.
On the men’s side, we were also thrilled to see Sir William Borlase place second in the top-ranked quad category, easing out Leander by two seconds. Having both gold and silver medallists in the premier open division race in our shells was hugely gratifying and another example of why champions choose Filippi.
Our other victories featured St Paul’s School in the open junior 16 coxed four, in a race where visitors from Italy (racing under I.S.I.S “E. STEIN” Gavirate) placed third in a Filippi. St Paul’s Girls’ School won the women’s equivalent in a contest where the bronze medallists from Lady Eleanor Holles also competed in our hull.
The open junior coxless four was won by Norwich School, who saw off the attentions of Abingdon School, who also raced in a Filippi.
Other notable performances included Dulwich College placing third in the open junior coxed fours and Emanuel School finishing third in the mixed quads.
After a weekend of blockbuster racing in London, many crews will now begin to enter a long winter training period. Filippi will be working hard to ensure our boats are as fast and as fit as they cna be ahead of the sweep for spring and summertime silverware.
