HEADINGTON School started their 2016 campaign with two victories in the curtailed Junior Head Race, staged by Hampton School at Molesey, writes John Wiggins.

The wind-shelter from the local landscape with the prevailing wind left the Thames relatively benign.

The wind gusts were still a major distraction, disrupting style and form.

But once the regular 3,000m course was shortened to remove an exposed 300m section, the event was deemed safe enough for crews from as young as 12 to race.

There were wins for both Headington’s J18 quad scull (Danielle Semple, Lydia Currie, Isabel Rundle and Katie King-Smith) and J16 coxed four (Anna Lockhart, Lizzie Stephens, Franny Curtis, Hannah Hornby and cox, Annelise Perkins).

Other impressive results included second place for Headington’s J16 quad and double scull as well as third place medals for the J14 coxed quad.

Their director of rowing, Chris Hermes, was very pleased with these wins, prioritising the senior quad over the eight which, with a mix of potential first and second-eight rowers, finished sixth.

The boys’ eights events saw early-season domination by Westminster School, but Radley College’s top boat were only a few seconds behind in second place in a tightly grouped finish with the St Edward’s eight only five seconds behind in fifth.

Teddies’ J15s, racing for the first time in an eight, showed an encouraging turn of pace with the fourth fastest time, only three seconds behind second-placed hosts Hampton.

Events in Gloucestershire and Peterborough were cancelled several days ahead due to forecast of high winds.