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Iron ladies ready for rowing battle royale

Strokes preparing for tomorrow’s Head of the River, from left, Izzy Payne (PLC), Annie Lester (St Hilda’s), Evie Deane (Penrhos), Laura Hooper (Perth College), Carla Hyde (John XXIII) and Bree Kennedy-Smith (MLC). Pic: Steve Ferrier/WA News

It took Presbyterian Ladies' College more than 20 years to break their Head of the River drought, but tomorrow they start favourites to make it three in a row.

Conditions are expected to be perfect for the Independent Girls' Schools' Sports Association regatta at Champion Lakes, with light winds and 17C forecast.

PLC head of rowing David Milne admitted it would be hard to claim underdog status after dominating the sport for the past three years, but insisted the prestigious first eight race was open.

PLC won the first three lead-up regattas this year, before being pipped by Methodist Ladies' College a fortnight ago.

"I think it's going to be a red-hot race," Milne said.

"MLC were definitely moving well in that last regatta.

"They (MLC) are a pretty proud rowing school and so are we at PLC so I am sure that it will come down to a really good race."

Milne said implementing change to the program in 2012, including allowing the students to do other sports and activities alongside their rowing commitments, had helped PLC to boost numbers in the sheds and get to where they are now.

He said it would be special to win a third consecutive title.

"It was 21 years until that win in 2012, so to be able to back that up would be a really strong and great achievement," Milne said.

MCL's rowing co-ordinator Marshall Varley said he hoped they had timed their run perfectly as they look to add to their 12 wins so far in the event's 26-year history.

"We had a really good race two weeks ago so we have set it up to be a cracker of a race," he said.

"PLC are definitely the team to beat. It's going to be a great race and we are going to definitely need to be at our best to beat the other schools."

Varley said his crew were keen to end their rivals' run of victories.

"Any school would love to win one - three in a row is another thing," he said.

"Hopefully we can do something about that."

PLC will have first choice of starting lane ahead of MLC.

Varley said crews from Perth College, St Hilda's and Penrhos should not be underestimated either.

PLC are also well placed to claim the Champion School Trophy for the most points across the season, ahead of Perth College and St Hilda's.

The much-anticipated first eight race is scheduled to start at noon.