When looking at the entries for any single sculling event, one has to focus on both the institution and, more importantly, the individuals. It is worth noting that anyone brave enough to face the possibility of a windy Holme Pierrepont in a single deserves some praise.
University of Bath
Bath benefits from being one of the few GB START centres left, although they have recently been re-organised to GB performance development academies. All three scullers from Bath have notable achievements. Fresher Harmony Noi hails from the recently disbanded Manchester START programme, and boasts a bronze medal from the British Rowing Indoor Championships 2023 in the U23 2k category (7:16.0). Rebekah Court has been a key feature of many of Bath’s success over the last few years, having recently earned a gold medal in the intermediate quad at BUCS head as well as qualifying for the Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta last year. Phoebe Horan managed to qualify for the George Innes Cup for championship sculls at Henley Women’s Regatta. All three athletes have the skills and experience to perform this weekend.
Reading University
As a university rowing programme, Reading certainly excel in the single. Zara Povey finished third in the B-final last season and so will be looking to improve upon that performance. Reading achieved a gold in the women’s championship quad and a fourth place in the intermediate category at BUCS Head a few months ago. As ever, Reading is one to watch in this category.
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s athlete Frances Curtis returns to the intermediate singles category this year, hoping to improve upon her B final second-placing from BUCS Regatta 2023. More generally, Queens have begun to produce excellent results in sculling categories and so will be looking to build upon previous performances.
Hartpury University & College
Ellie Dash of Hartpury University is racing this weekend in her single off the back of her gold medal win at the British Rowing Indoor Championships 2023 in the U23 2k category with a time of 7:00.5. I am excited to see how this translates to the water.
Prediction
It is worth noting that Oxford Brookes has entered four singles, so definitely something to keep an eye on. Overall, Bath will likely dominate the category with their several strong athletes, beyond that the rest is all to play for.
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