A particularly strong representation of women competitors marks out today's Tribesmen Head of the River, sponsored by Carlsberg, at Galway. The British national fours and eights crews, a double scull from the USA, which features a world silver medallist, and a composite quad made up of four of the best Irish women in the sport are all set to take part.

The American double scull, representing the Riverside club from Massachusetts, teams Linda Muri, who won silver in Aiguebelette in France last year, with Maura Conron.

The Irish composite quad brings together long-term UCD team-mates Vanessa Lawrenson and Debbie Stack (now with Trinity), Mary Hussey (Commercial) and Susan O'Brien (Neptune).

In the men's events, Niall O'Toole, eschewing single sculling, will also be part of a quad, and world silver medallists Neville Maxwell and Tony O'Connor are also pencilled in to compete. There is a doubt over O'Connor's participation, however, due to injury.