It is always exciting to see the results of the first GB assessment as it often is our first chance to see how some of the top rowers in the country stack up. For those going for selection for the GB U23 team this can be one of the most important assessments in their rowing career as many will be hoping that a successful GB U23 campaign will lead to one day a move up into the senior GB squad.
The fastest U23 pair of the day came from Oxford University BC. James Forward and Henry Pearson not only were a step clear of the rest of the U23 field but also were sixth fastest pair overall in the 5km time trial. With speed like this not only does it bode well for their U23 aims but also bodes well for Oxford’s prospects in the Boat Race this year.
The Imperial College pair of Jake Smith and Noam Mouelle were the fourth fastest U23 pair in the time trial. Although falling short in the final of the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta this year the speed of Imperial’s programme was clear to see and this pair put down a very competitive time in the 5km time trial. Jake Smith also put down a mighty personal best 2km of 6:06.5 which puts him right up there amongst the fastest U23 results in the 2km erg.
With Oxford Brookes having become a titan of the student rowing scene it is no surprise to see many of their athletes trialling for U23. In all there were 14 athletes from Oxford Brookes who took place in the 5km time trial with their aim being U23 selection. The fastest Brookes pair came from Jake Wincomb and Benjamin Hinves. Jake Wincomb was part of the Brookes Prince Albert ‘A’ crew who made the sem-final for Brookes in 2021 and will surely be looking to ensure Brookes once again this season collects the silverware having missed out on that elusive trophy.
Toby Lassen and Jens Hullah also put in a very competitive performance in the 5km time trial only just being beaten out by Jake Wincomb and Benjamin Hinves. With such talent coming out of the Brookes programme it is little doubt that Brookes will continue it run of form at the top of student rowing in the UK.
Leander has always been seen as one of the most prestigious rowing institutions in the UK and it is no surprise that one of the fastest pairs of the day came from Leander. Daniel Bradbury and Cameron Beyki were the second fastest U23 pair in the 5km time trial and ninth overall. Iwan Hadfield also impressed in the 2km erg with a 6:08.3 as he continues to look to build to secure his place in the GB U23 squad.
With Oxford having a fast U23 pair it is no surprise the Cambridge would also have its own set of promising U23 talent. Reif Boericke along with his pairs partner placed ninth overall while Cameron Spiers and Luca Ferraro placed 11th overall in the 5km time trial. With the Boat Race hype already starting it is clear that Cambridge is not going to be short of talent in its 2022 campaign.
Matthew Morgan was a stand out in a very competitive field at the first assessments. Pulling a PB of 6:06.1 to put himself near the top of the table. Alongside his partner he placed 16th overall in the time trial. With U23 silver medallist Lewis McCue now coaching the Edinburgh men’s squad, I look forward to see if Matthew and the rest of the Edinburgh squad can produce anymore fast times later into the year.
Tom Cross from UL was another athlete to put in both a strong performance on the erg as well as on the water. Posting a 6:07.8 on the 2km he would then go on to be the second fastest U23 in the 5km time trial and eighth overall.
George Thompson and Tom Symington placed 20th overall but were the third fastest U21 pair. Newcastle is well known for its brutal winter training programme and so I have no doubt that this pair will find quite some pace as the year goes on.
Although Durham can sometimes be overshadowed by its close neighbour Newcastle, it is a club that has reliably delivered talent at U23 level for years and remains a top-level programme. Once again they showed the speed they have amongst their men’s squad with Callum Betteley and Gus John not only being 18th pair overall in the time trial but also being second fastest U21 pair meaning that thy have a number of years ahead of them to cement themselves in the GB U23 programme.
One of the stand outs form the 2km has to be Miles Beeson who entered as a Molesey BC athlete. Already having won gold in the eight at the U23 World Championships last year he put down a solid PB of 5:57.9. Having raced with Aberdeen Schools as junior, he now currently is based out at Yale in America. I would not be surprised to see some big results coming from Miles in the future.
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