We have followed the GB trials process from November 2021 right through until final trials for the 2022 season. The lightweight ladies have been working hard to gain a spot for the summer regatta season. This final trial weekend consists of a set of time trials and side-by-side racing at Caversham Lake and for these lightweights they will have to weigh in at 57.5 kilos to be eligible for selection. Whilst these are only predictions, we will all be keeping an eager eye on the results from this weekend. Considering this, we can form a strong idea of who will be there.
Imogen Grant (Cambridge University), a household name for rowers and since the Boat Race, non-rowers alike. Consistently coming in first though the trials system this year and sure to be the fastest for this coming weekend too. We can also predict with a certain amount of confidence that Emily Craig (University of London) will be coming in second. The notorious double pairing from the Tokyo Olympics, these two girls have a wealth of experience and strength behind them. They may be hoping to stay in the double for the 2022 summer races, however they will need to demonstrate their form this weekend and in the seat racing which will follow.
The spare for the Olympic campaign was Maddie Arlett representing Edinburgh University. Training down at Caversham, she’ll know what’s what out on the water. With a big aim to be competitive against Imogen and Emily, these girls will come in close together. To round off the senior lightweights, we see Laura Macro of Dart Totnes RC. She will also want to be making a crew for this summer and perhaps even hoping on a lightweight senior quad. These girls have been coming in consistently in this order and I believe this order will stay for the two kilometre racing.
For the U23 squad, we can hope for another strong performance from Lauren Maddison of Reading University. Perhaps she’s aiming to race her single in the international races, or maybe other U23s will join her in a crew boat such as Annabelle Ruinet (Marlow RC), Isobel Sellers (Durham University), and Lily Young (Edinburgh University) to make an U23 quad.
All of these ladies have seen competitive and exciting racing on the 2021 summer and will be keen to improve on that. With both national and international wins to celebrate, they will all be keen to continue their steps forward in the direction of success. This 2022 year marks the begging of summer international racing to prepare for the 2024 summer Olympics. Although there is still some question about lightweights racing at the next Olympics, all of these women will incredibly keen to progress their rowing career and will be putting their all into the upcoming races.
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