The February set of British Rowing trials took place in a slightly different format to those in November, with athletes only racing in a 5km water time trial, with the 5km ergo test being submitted prior to the weekend. Racing conditions were not easy, with athletes having to race in strong winds which is no easy feat and will have required them to demonstrate both strength, fitness, and technical finesse.
The U23 women’s sculling contingent was slightly smaller than that seen back in November, with drop-off occurring from athletes not meeting the required 5km ergo time, setting apart the top athletes from the rest of the field. There may also be some athletes missing from the results due to illness or injury, and we may see them return for April trials.
Once again Georgina Robinson Ranger and Vwairé Obukohwo produced the two fastest times of the U23 eligible athletes, finishing in 21:57.52 and 22:02.98 respectively. It should also be noted that Robinson Ranger, representing the University of London, beat several women who have represented Great Britain at Senior World Championships and even the Olympics, which puts her in an exciting position for future selection.
Following these two scullers were four athletes who as well as being eligible for U23 competition, are all U21 eligible. Amy Furlonger from Marlow RC showed consistency, and even a step on to third place after coming in fifth out of the U23 scullers in November. Hannah Supple from Edinburgh University also put in a solid row to take fourth place, equalling her result from November. Whilst these athletes are both still young, in producing such competitive and consistent results, they are proving themselves to be mature athletes who will hopefully see their hard work pay off in the coming years.
While it is common to see results changing quite a lot between the November water assessment and those in February, the consistency in finish positions from these four athletes enables us to see that they are the ones to keep an eye on for U23 racing selection. There is always an element of the unknown, and as the past few years have taught us, nothing is guaranteed, but I would certainly expect to see Robinson Ranger and Obukohwo selected to race at the U23 World Championships this year.
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