As the winter season drags on and the weather seemingly not improving any time soon, the GB U19 February long-distance trial is a remote light at the end of the tunnel for those athletes who have qualified to participate. As I’m sure most will be aware, GBRT has changed the criteria for long-distance sculls, which I think will heighten the stakes that little bit more for the lucky athletes taking on Boston this weekend.
Sir William Perkin’s School Boat Club: Emily Nicholas
A name readers should not be surprised to see on this list is Emily Nicholas of Sir William Perkins School Boat Club. Nicholas is one of the few J17 athletes who can boast international racing experience, having won silver at the U19 World Rowing Championships last summer. Nicholas is well-seasoned in the GB trial process, which will certainly be an advantage. She is young and talented, and exactly what GB rowing is looking for, not to mention her astounding time at early IDs, placing her second in a competitive field.
Headington School Boat Club: Sophie Haisman
An athlete with an undeniably impressive track record, I expect Sophie Haisman of Headington School Boat Club to be one of the most competitive of this season’s U19 cohort. Already having made her mark on the international scene, Haisman stroked the GB eight at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships, taking home silver. Not long before this, she stroked the Headington School eight to victory at Henley Royal Regatta, an achievement most rowers can only ever dream of. Everyone can agree on one thing: Sophie Haisman was born with rhythm. After such a monumental 23/24 season, Haisman has shown no signs of slowing down, taking fifth place at the Boston Early ID trials just a few months ago. I’m confident that she will be one of the fastest girls this weekend.
Shiplake College Boat Club: Amelia Westbrook
Another U19 World Rowing Championship eight member from last season, I expect that Amelia Westbrook of Shiplake College Boat Club will only escalate the fierce competition at the February Long Distance Trials. Shiplake is known for cultivating young rowing talent, and it has done just that with Westbrook. From fifth place at National Schools’ Regatta, to qualification for the U19 World Rowing Championships, Westbrook has shown that she is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Off the back of her silver medal race in Canada, Westbrook put in an impressive time at early ID trials to finish third, just ahead of her previous crewmate Haisman.
Wallingford Rowing Club: Naomi Bell
An athlete who may appear, at first glance, to be an unusual selection for this article, Naomi Bell of Wallingford Rowing Club placed just inside the top ten at early IDs in November. However, as only a J17 with a limited repertoire of experience, this result is quite impressive. Bell experienced a successful and exciting season as a J16 rower, with podium finishes at the National Schools’ Regatta, the British Championships, and qualification for the GB vs France match. She’s racing with the big girls now, and these girls have international experience and a year’s more racing under their belts, but Bell is taking it all in her stride. With such an admirable start to her U19 career, I am excited to see what else Bell has in store.
Prediction
It’s hard to say who will make final crews this early in the season, but I would be surprised if most of these girls didn’t create some lasting impression on GB rowing. As for the February long-distance trial, all signs point to Nicholas and Haisman as taking those top spots.
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