Boston plays host to the first round of trials for the GB Rowing Team this weekend. This will be the first indicator of who will likely be part of the U23 squad this summer. From juniors looking to make the step up to previous U23 world champions and those who missed out on selection last year, everyone will want to make a good first impression.
Ellie Cooke, Reading University BC
Cooke looks like the front-runner to take the top spot in Boston. After winning a bronze medal in the quad at the U23 World Rowing Championships and consistently placing as the fastest U23 sculler at trials last year, Cooke will be looking to retake the win at Boston this weekend. Cooke also has a collection of solid results on the national stage, winning a medal in every championship sculling event at BUCS Regatta, qualifying for The Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta and racing in the final of the W. Peer Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta. Cooke is undoubtedly one to watch
Megan Knight, Reading University BC
Another member of the bronze medal-winning quad, Knight will also be looking to make her mark at this first round of trials. Knight won the B-final at final trials last year, making her the second-fastest U23 sculler behind Cooke. Knight also won The Bourne Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta last year. She will be looking to maintain her position from last season or even move up to the top spot.
Eloise Etherington, Cambridge University BC
After winning a silver medal in the quad at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships and a bronze medal in 2023, Etherington will be eager to step up to the U23 level. A part of the Wycliffe quad that won at Schools’ Head of the River, the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, National Schools’ Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta (an enviable and almost unmatched record domestically), Etherington is a strong sculler. Having joined Cambridge University Boat Club this year, it will be interesting to see whether she will continue sculling or if training for The Boat Race will cause her to shift to sweep.
Amalka Delevante, Tideway Scullers School
Another junior sculler looking to make the move to the U23 squad is Amalka Delevante. Delevante raced with Etherington in the quad at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships and at the Munich International Junior Regatta, where they placed first. Delevante also placed second in the championship double at the National Schools’ Regatta. This success in small boats should help her this weekend.
Sophie Sinclair, Molesey BC
On the sweep side, Sinclair had great success as a junior. She was part of the Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association coxed four that won The Groton School Challenge Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta and the Jim Mason Plate at the National Schools’ Regatta. She also has international experience, having won silver in the eight at the U19 World Rowing Championships. It will be interesting to see how she fares sculling this weekend.
Emily Downing, Leander Club
Another member of the silver medal-winning GB women’s junior eight, Downing has further international experience after racing in the coxless four at the Munich International Junior Regatta, where the crew won two silver medals. This additional international experience could give her an edge.
Olivia Hill, Oxford Brookes University BC
When it comes to sweep, the first place to look would be Brookes. Hill won gold medals in both the championship coxed four and championship eight at BUCS regatta before securing victory in The Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. After placing third in the pair at final trials last year, Hill raced in the U23 eight that won a gold medal at the U23 World Rowing Championships. It’ll be exciting to see how she manages the shift to sculling.
Rhianna Sumpter, Oxford Brookes University BC
Sumpter rowed with Hill in the pair at final trials and the eight at the U23 World Rowing Championships. She rowed at Brookes last season and entered The Remenham Challenge Cup rather than The Island Challenge Cup, where Hill was resident. In the final, this boat beat a crew of US National team aspirants to win the premier prize for female athletes. This success at Henley Royal Regatta may indicate an edge over her former pairs partner.
Jessica Martin, University of London BC
Martin also has experience sweeping internationally, having raced in the coxless four that won a gold medal and set a new World Best Time at the U23 World Rowing Championships. Martin has also shown proficiency in sculling after racing in The Wingfield Sculls earlier this season. This sculling experience should aid her considerably come Sunday.
Isabel Lancaster, Reading University BC/Bradford ARC
Unlike the rest of this list, Lancaster hasn’t competed at the U19 or U23 World Rowing Championships. Instead, she’s earned stripes at the World Rowing Beach Sprints Finals, where a gold medal in the U19 mixed double was the sum of her efforts. The shift to river rowing has seen her progress at an incredible rate. After just missing out on a medal in the single at BUCS regatta, she stepped on to come second at the Metropolitan Regatta and win The Fiona Dennis Trophy at Henley Women’s Regatta. More recently at Henley Long Distance Sculls, Lancaster was only eight seconds behind fellow Reading University sculler Cooke, who seems to be the one to watch, suggesting she could be a surprise result this weekend.
Prediction
Ultimately, I expect Cooke to retain her spot as the fastest U23 sculler after many strong performances over the past year. It will be exciting to see how members of last year’s sweep squad (Hill, Sumpter and Martin) manage the switch to sculling. I would also look to Lancaster to perhaps surprise those from last year’s squad and Etherington to make her mark as an U23 athlete after her success as a junior.
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