Determination and technical prowess are the cornerstones of victory in the women’s championship lightweight double. Each stroke taken builds a crucial bond between two teammates. As they navigate the 2000m course on Saturday, spectators will witness a showcase of synchronisation. With limited opportunities to compete in these boats this year, the anticipation is mounting for an unpredictable race at BUCS Regatta 2024 this weekend.
University of Surrey Boat Club
The Kennedy twins, Leonie and Sacha, will be looking to up their game once again. It’s clear that this boat club’s impressive lightweight programme has paid off within this crew, with the girls winning silver in this category after an impressive race at BUCS Regatta last year. Sacha Kennedy was also the Henley Women’s Regatta aspirational lightweight singles champion in 2021. With previous rivals Durham University absent this year, the Kennedys will have likely set their sights on nothing less than gold.
Cambridge University Boat Club
Fresh from their triumph in the women’s lightweight Boat Race, Claire Cooper and Arden Berlinger will be aiming to extend their winning streak at BUCS Regatta. Though usually positioned differently in the eight, with Claire sat at two seat and Arden stroking, their potential as a duo is intriguing. It will be interesting to see whether Boat Race coach Bronya Sykes will have taught them enough to take into the double. Cambridge’s lightweight women hold a legacy of success, and hopefully this crew will look to follow in the footsteps of former Boat Race athlete Imogen Grant, who until last weekend maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in the lightweight women’s double for Great Britain.
Loughborough University Boat Club
Lara and Lily Brittain seek to challenge Surrey’s dominance, vying for the title of the event’s strongest siblings. Lara’s impressive resume, including a Henley Women’s Regatta championship lightweight double victory in 2021 and four BUCS titles, sets a high bar. However, it is likely that Lily poses similar athleticism to keep up with her. With Lara also having been the previous women’s captain at Reading University, this rivalry promises to deliver an exhilarating race.
University of Birmingham Boat Club
A newly formed crew, Erin Meredith and Emily O’Connor are looking to make waves at BUCS Regatta. Erin has definitely shown individual strength, previously achieving a bronze BUCS medal in the lightweight single and coming second in the aspirational lightweight single at Henley Women’s Regatta last year. She has also raced for Wales in both a quad and a four. Emily brings similar success to the team. Having won gold in the lightweight quad at BUCS Head this year, it is unlikely that she’ll want to settle for anything less in the double.
Reading University Boat Club
Elizabeth Jeffcock and Imy Clements will be looking to contribute to Reading’s history of lightweight sculling success. With the club’s women’s intermediate quad placing 19th at BUCS Head, it is likely that these women will have worked hard in the double to move up the ranks in time for BUCS Regatta.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Evie Leavesley-Richards and Skye Lee aim to elevate Newcastle University’s sculling reputation. Evie’s previous bronze medal at the British Championships and Skye’s experience with Tideway Scullers signal their potential to surprise.
Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club
Queen’s rowing continues to bolster its lightweight projects, with a strong showing at previous editions of BUCS Regattas. Having placed fourth in this event at BUCS Regatta last year and fifth the year prior, the Queen’s girls will be targeting those medals. We know that Sam McCormick especially will be wanting to get on to that podium, as she raced in four A-Finals at BUCS last year but didn’t win a medal in the double. Perhaps some internal rivalry between Sam McCormick’s crew and Kyla Park’s crew will spur all four girls to greater success.
Predictions
With the unpredictable nature of doubles racing, predicting a winner is a daunting task. I believe the Surrey crew emerges as a frontrunner, driven by their previous success and strengthened resolve. Cambridge, 2022 victors in this event, also seem to be strong contenders, with big shoes to fill. Queen’s and Reading are consistent threats, whilst Loughborough appears relatively new on the scene. Further, the Leeds crew should not be discounted. With Leeds’ Laura Bates being a previous aspirational lightweight singles victor at Henley women’s, it is likely that her doubles partner will be well-matched. Lastly, crews from Nottingham, Swansea and East Anglia will be closely monitored, particularly in the absence of Durham and Imperial who took up places in last year’s A-Final. As the final line-up takes shape, the stage is set for this year’s lightweight women at BUCS Regatta 2024.
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