Hampton Head 2016 – J18 2-

With the second water assessment for the GB Junior trials just over a fortnight away, Hampton Head will be used by many of the pairs competing as a dry run for the gruelling 5km slog in Boston. I will be previewing the five crews that I think have the best chance of taking the pennant home.

Molesey-Ayres
Ollie Ayres went to the Coupe de la Jeunesse last summer. He is a very powerful athlete and looks set to have a good season ahead of him. I’m not sure who he is pairing with for Hampton, however, the junior scene is strong at Molesey so no doubt he will have found a combination that goes quickly.

Hampton- Worthington
Earlier in the season, Tom Worthington was pairing with Dom Jackson and they had a good run at the early ID trials, placing fourth in the pairs event. Jackson, who was also in the Coupe team last year, has recently raised eyebrows everywhere by setting a new lightweight junior 5km ergo record- a very impressive feat! I think these guys will be very quick on their home water.
The other Hampton combinations will, I imagine, also be quick; at least two of them are also going to the trials.

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School- Bolton
I believe that Angus Bolton is pairing with Ben Wright. Both of the pair were in the Coupe de la Jeunesse eight last summer and so are experienced and strong athletes. Their results in the singles at the early ID may have left them wanting more, however, the pair is a different game.

Winchester- Schröder
Winchester have a strong senior squad and Tobias Schröder is near the top of it. Schröder had a very good run in the single at the early ID trials, placing eighth. It will be interesting to see how well this speed is transferred into the pair.
Expect the other Winchester pairs to be near the top as well.

Thames-Tyrie
Seb Tyrie and Fred Beaty are an established unit in the pair, and experience always pays in the small boats. They rowed the pair for England at the Home International Regatta in the summer and have been constantly improving.

My prediction:
1) HAM- Worthington
2) WIN-Schröder
3) MBC-Ayres

Good luck to all crews!

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