Racing on the Saturday of BUCS regatta we have the women’s championship pairs. An incredibly strong lineup of ladies this year from across the country. We see a total of 8 pairs racing, meaning a time trial with the fastest 2 pairs heading straight to the final, followed by a repechage of the following 6 pairs with the top 4 making it into the final. This means that every race is vital to perform well in to prevent being eliminated.
University of Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, we have Catriona Taylor and Clara O’Doherty. These girls recently raced at the Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta where they won the championship 2- category against fellow teammates. At BUCS regatta last year, Clara raced in the championship 4- making 6th place in the A final. Both Catriona and Clara have been within the 1st 8+ all year and last, at BUCS last year they placed 6th in the championship 8+ together.
University of Cambridge
This year, Cambridge have 3 crews entered into this event. Iris Powell and Carys Earl, Megan Lee and Clare Hole, finally Jenna Armstrong and Gemma King. Having been part of the Oxbridge Boat Race 8+ these girls have had a lot of time rowing together in crews over this season. For WeHORR the Cambridge 8+ came 7th overall, beating Edinburgh, Durham and Imperial. Of this list, Powell and Earl have recently come back from racing at GB selection April Trials placing 1st in the C final.
Durham University
Much like Cambridge, Durham also have 3 crews entered: Anna Grace and Mia Vickerman, Izzy Sellers and Megan Hadfield, finally Daisy Jackson and Isadora Kennedy. These 3 pairs of girls, make up the stern 3 pairs within their championship 8+ that raced at WeHORR. The 8+ at WeHORR came a respectable 12th overall, beating the Edinburgh and Imperial. From this list, Grace, Jackson and Kennedy have recently raced at April Trials. Jackson and Kennedy came 5th in the B final, whereas Grace placed 4th in the A final. Also of note, Mia Vickerman has previously won Henley Royal Regatta 2021 in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, and Izzy Sellers won the championship lightweight Double at Henley Women’s regatta 2023.
Imperial College London
Racing for Imperial we have Elizabeth Witt and Laura Ellington, who won this category last year against some similar names to this years entry list. Elizabeth Witt has also recently come back from racing at April Trials, however she was trailing for sculling rather than sweep like the previous mentioned ladies. Witt has also bounced off a stellar performance in the 2023 summer by winning the championship pair at Henley Women’s regatta.
Predictions
Although a very tight final is ahead of us, I believe it will be a race to the line for Durham’s Grace/Vickerman, followed by Cambridge Powell/Earl and Durham Jackson/Kennedy. I think Imperial won’t be too far behind and has the ability to sneak their way onto the podium. Best of luck ladies!
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