The pairs events represent the only sweep events which Oxford Brookes do not enter, as they decide to compete only in the eights and fours events. This opens up the pairs event to the likes of Newcastle, Durham, Imperial, and others, who might not get a look in otherwise. It also allows athletes to shine where they may not in events which require a large squad depth, such as the eights. We can therefore expect that some clubs will be in the mix who have very strong pairs but haven’t had the success in big boats that others have.
Newcastle’s pair consists of two athletes from the first eight – Hal Flowerdew and Dan Wilmot – with others competing in the quad on the Thursday of the Regatta. Newcastle have prioritised the eight at all of their races so far this season, so we can only speculate that based on historical results they will be in the mix for the win.
While they struggle to keep up with rivals Newcastle in the eights, Durham certainly have strength in the smaller boats. No results from marlow, durham doing top 4? Check
A bit of a wildcard are the twins from Bristol – John and Rob Davies. The top two athletes from Bristol the pairing were part of the four which won the Academic Coxed Fours at Met Regatta. While they don’t have the historical results to back them, Bristol are in with a shout of a medal.
Oxford and Cambridge both have entries this year, based on the results of the 2021 Boat Race one would initially bet on the Cambridge pair to take this race as well. However, the Oxford athletes both rowed in the Blue Boat this year whereas the Cambridge athletes were not in either the Blue Boat or in Goldie. Therefore, we can look at Oxford to win this contest.
It’s difficult to call this event, with very little information on the quality of pairs due to universities prioritising eights and fours at previous regattas. My prediction for the top three is Newcastle to win followed by Oxford and then Durham to take the bronze.
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