The smallest of the sweep events in rowing, the pair is a unique beast. Two rowers must deliver power throughout the stroke, but also balance each other’s weight and contend with steering. Although simple enough for the trained oarsmen, like most boat classes, the gap between winning and losing is often a matter of seconds. Last year’s winning margin alone of 1.3 seconds between Bristol and Durham was tight enough and it is possible we could see even tighter when the pairs take to the water at Holme Pierrepont.
University of Bristol Boat Club
In the competitive world of university rowing, UOBBC was until fairly recently a middling, if exceptionally strong regional player. However, following an outstanding BUCS with a win in Int 8+, the Int 4+, and Int 2-, followed by qualifying four boats for Henley Royal Regatta, Bristol is well on its way to achieving its stated goal of becoming a top five rowing university boat club. At the back end of the Head Season, Bristol made history, finishing inside the top twenty proving that, at least at the top end, the club is going from strength to strength. Last year’s win was secured through the talents of Welsh wunderkind Robbie Prosser (he of dyed hair fame) and John Davies, the former of whom went on to win gold in the U23 Mens Coxed Four at the U23 World Rowing Championships. The competition will be stiff, of that there is no doubt, but Bristol has had a taste of success which they will hope will turn into consistent success.
Durham University Boat Club
Durham was a dominant force in British university rowing for many years, and after an inevitable dip over the past couple of years, they are very much back as one of the top university boat clubs in the UK. An outstanding performance at BUCS Head, which resulted in the crew gaining both the Victor Ludorum in the Women’s, the Men’s and the Overall VL for the first time in eleven years was a good start, as was the performance by Durham at HORR 2023. Durham came within a second of Bristol at last year’s BUCS, and with some impressive results in the pairs from recent GB trials, including Andrew Mettrick and Gus John who finished as the 3rd U23 pair. With Bristol looking a little less comfortable at the top end than last year, Durham has a real fighting chance of bringing home the gold medal, or a medal of any color.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
2022 really was a spectacular year for the Baby Blue Army. Four boats qualified for HRR, Mens, and Overall VL at BUCS and GB vests for men squad members Dale Flockhart and Cameron Kemp. A solid performance at BUCS head, which saw the club finish third overall was followed by a stronger HORR performance, where the 1st 8+ cemented their place among Britain’s best with a strong 16th place, even more, credible given that the field was the strongest HORR has seen in some years. Both of the two boats entered are strong contenders to well in this event. Henry Pooley pairs up with former KCS Wimbledon and GB trialists Oliver Holmes in one, and former Dulwich College 1st 8+ stroke Fionn Milhench is joined by Sam Thornton. Holmes and Pooley arguably have a better chance of medalling based on simple raw power, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Milhench and Thorton could go far as well, provided they have a strong time in the time trial and keep their wits about them in the semi. Edinburgh secured a comfortable bronze last time out and would think they will do the same again.
Prediction
Although Bristol won this event last year, the quality of the field has risen sharply so they will have their work cut with strong challenges likely to come from Durham and Edinburgh. Of those two, Durham is slightly favoured to win either gold or silver, with Edinburgh likely securing a medal of any colour.
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