The Women’s Championship Doubles this year features seven crews from all over the country and will exercise a wealth of talent. This division promises close-knit racing that’s full of excitement over the course of Nottingham’s two kilometer stretch.
Reading University Boat Club
Reading University Boat Club’s legacy in this division immediately sets them up as a club to watch. They’ve taken the past two titles and it’s clear that Reading have a know-how in this division that Lauren Maddison and her partner will want to replicate. Having won the C Finals at GB trials in April, Maddison is proving to be an up-and-coming athlete with plenty of power and poise to call upon.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Although Newcastle University Boat Club weren’t in the A final of BUCS Regatta in 2019 and 2021, this year might prove to be different. Rachel Bradley, half of Newcastle’s double, finished second in the C Finals at GB trials in April, meaning that this double is a serious contender for this year’s category. I’m interested to see how Newcastle and Reading compete against each other, and if Bradley and Maddison will maintain or swap their positions achieved at trials.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Edinburgh University Boat Club are also a crew to watch, having had such a successful season to date across all divisions, particularly in sculling. Given their history in this event, having come second in 2021 to Reading by five seconds, it’s clear that Edinburgh will be back with a vengeance and it’s more than likely we’ll see them in the top three.
Royal Holloway University
Royal Holloway’s additional entries in BUCS Regatta this year are limited, with Annabelle Ruinet racing in the Women’s Championship Lightweight Single and Vwairé Obukohwo racing in the Women’s Championship Single. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to assume that Ruinet and Obukohwo might be racing together to form the Royal Holloway Women’s Championship Double. If this is the case, then this double is likely to be incredibly quick. Both athletes competed at GB trials in April, with Ruinet coming second in the D final and Obukohwo coming second in the B final, just behind Saskia Budgett. The combination of these two athletes promises explosivity and exciting rowing as they race down the course at Nottingham.
Overall, this is going to be a division that is incredibly quick, with not a weak in sight. Each of the crews competing comes from an incredibly similar background which suggests that the racing will be close-night and therefore exciting. I can’t wait to see the results.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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