Returning to Nottingham this time as a combined programme, the British Rowing Junior and Senior Club Championships is set to bring together some of the top talent from across the country. With over 21 entries in the Championship Women’s Double Sculls event, many of which already have a long list of achievements to their name, this lineup has no shortage of talent and experience.
A B Severn Rowing Club
The youngest duo taking a chance at championship level are Phoebe Asquith and Gracie James, of A B Severn Rowing Club. As J16s, the pair have already firmly established themselves as athletes to watch for the future of GB rowing. These athletes are no strangers to success, with a recent highlight being Henley Women’s Regatta, at which the duo joined forces with Alexandra Francis and Daisy O’Reilly from Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club and City of Bristol Rowing Club, respectively. The crew dominated their heat and semi-final stages of their J16 coxless quadruple sculls campaign for the Nina Padwick Trophy, but were unfortunately bested in the final by a mere length at the hands of Henley Rowing Club. Their season has already included the Simon Sears Cup as J16 double champions at the National Schools’ Regatta. To top off an incredible season, the pair got their first taste of international success last weekend, swapping home in Tewksbury for the vast waters of Léry-Poses. Taking on the French Rowing Federation to make their international debut at the annual GB v France J16 match, the pair secured what could likely be the first of their many gold medals for the GB Rowing Team.
Hartpury University and College Boat Club
Potential favourites for this event, Ellie Dash and Chloe Sheppard have joined forces in the hopes of crowning themselves national champions yet again. Having not even finished her A-level studies yet, Sheppard has already shone on both a national and international stage, with her bronze medal-winning performance at the junior world championships adding another piece of silverware to her already impressive collection. As well as making up half of the winning, course-record setting, championship double from the National Schools’ Regatta, Sheppard has also secured a bronze medal as a single sculler at BUCS Regatta, behind teammate Dash, who took home silver. Dash has no shortage of achievements, including taking home the Rosie Mayglothling Trophy for aspirational doubles in partnership with Katie Gardner at Henley Women’s Regatta. As a combined force, the pair have already asserted their dominance on a national scale, securing comfortable victories in both the intermediate double sculls event at BUCS Regatta and the Metropolitan Regatta.
Bath University Boat Club
Needing little introduction, Ella Fullman and Rebekah Court are well-known contenders across the university circuit and recently made waves on the club stage too, securing both a gold and silver in the double at the Metropolitan Regatta. Hoping to continue their streak, the pair also picked up a silver in the championship doubles at BUCS Regatta, and put up a fierce fight in their campaigns at both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta, for the W. Peer Cup and Stonor Challenge Trophy, respectively. While the season may be coming to an end, there is no slowing down for these athletes, who spent last weekend at the England Team Trials for a chance to represent the nation at Home International Rowing Regatta. On top of their double finishing third, both were also able to produce impressive individual performances, with Fullman securing second in the singles event, and Court following closely behind in sixth. Fullman is also no stranger to the international stage, and had already collected several impressive accolades before she even made it to university. After making her GBRT debut at the Munich International Junior Regatta last year, the U19 European medalist was also crowned women’s single sculls champion at Coupe de la Jeunesse.
Prediction
With a lineup bursting with talent like this, this category is set to be dramatic and down-to-the-wire. While I am certainly rooting for the young duo from A B Severn BC, it’s likely the experience of the Hartpury and Bath University crews will be favourable in this case. Despite it being almost impossible to pick between these two rising stars, Hartpury have the edge in my eyes. Their commanding and consistent victories throughout the season have demonstrated their sheer commitment to their performances and the fierceness of their racing style, which could be the deciding factor between gold and silver this weekend.
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