The British Championships are including a limited number of lightweight events this year, with championship lightweight singles and coxless fours being offered as both open and women’s events. As we observe the unfortunate decline of lightweight rowing, this event may be one of the last opportunities for these five athletes to race in a lightweight category. Only the 2,000m course at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham stands between them and a medal position on Friday.
Nottingham County RA (L. Brittain)
Brittain has become a well-known name in the world of lightweight rowing. After moving to Loughborough University, it was unknown if she would continue the same high level as rowing as when she was at Reading University, with their top tier sculling programme. However, in recent races, she has proven that she is still a contender in lightweight events. Having made the final at Henley Women’s Regatta in the championship lightweight double with Justicz for Nottinghamshire Country RA, they unfortunately lost to the Dart Totnes outfit. This was then followed by a Henley Royal Regatta entry into The Stonor Challenge Trophy for doubles where they were the fastest non-qualifiers. Fueled by these frustrating outcomes, I’m sure Brittain will be bringing everything in the fight for first place on Friday.
Surrey University (L. Kennedy)
Kennedy also has a strong history of performing well in this event while racing for Surrey University. In 2023 she made it to the top four of the Fiona Dennis Trophy for aspirational lightweight singles at Henley Women’s Regatta. This year, she finished third in the intermediate lightweight single at BUCS Regatta, and made it to the final of the same Henley Women’s Regatta event, unfortunately losing to Lancaster of Reading University. While achieving these impressive results in a single, she has also been competing in a double with her sister and placed first in the Saturday B-Final at the Metropolitan Regatta before competing at the Henley Royal Regatta qualifiers where they finished as the third-fastest non-qualifiers. This intensive racing reason will set Kennedy up well coming into this event, where she will undoubtedly be challenging for the win.
Nottingham University (K. Dalzell)
From Nottingham University, Dalzell hasn’t quite had the same run up to this event as the other competitors. At BUCS Regatta this year, she competed in the championship lightweight coxless four and intermediate lightweight quad, winning bronze and silver respectively. Following this, a Henley campaign in Nottingham’s second eight saw her just missing out on qualification for academic eights at both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. This was a change from last year, as she qualified for the Fiona Dennis Trophy for aspirational lightweight singles at Henley Women’s Regatta 2023 but was knocked out in the first round. It will be interesting to see how she handles the transition back to racing in a single on Friday.
Clydesdale ARC (R. Setford)
A potential underdog in this event is Setford from Clydesdale ARC. After being knocked out by Dart Totnes in the semi-final of the championship lightweight doubles at Henley Women’s Regatta with her partner Oehlckers, Setford will be looking to build on that result and could be one to watch.
Derby RC (H. Taylor)
Finally, racing for Derby RC is Taylor, who placed seventh in the Saturday B-final for the singles at the Metropolitan Regatta, finishing as the fourth lightweight overall. Following this, she qualified for the Fiona Dennis Trophy for aspirational lightweight singles at Henley Women’s Regatta and was unfortunately knocked out in the first round by Kennedy of Surrey University. With a margin of nearly 30 seconds to Kennedy, Taylor will be aiming to close that gap in this event.
Prediction
Based on results from this season and last, I am expecting Brittain and Kennedy to be fighting it out for that top spot with Dalzell potentially also heating up the fight and rounding out the top three. It is however yet to be seen what may happen in fourth and fifth, with close and exciting racing to be expected at both ends of this event on Friday.
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