Raced over a relatively short 3000m course, Hampton SBH is a highly anticipated event. Pairs categories this year have been highly contested, with results at the top often being less than a second apart. Despite only having three entries, this race will hopefully be up to the standard of previous competitions.
Hampton School – HAM-Barnes
Racing on home water for the first of two times this season, Hampton will be hoping to emerge victorious. Hector Barnes raced in the Hampton 4+ at fours head this year and last year was part of the J16 VIII that performed admirably in the early stages of NSR. A Hampton double was victorious at Kingston Small Boats Head in J18 2x, though it is unknown if either of the athletes in this pair raced in that double. Regardless, Hampton’s reputation as a strong programme and their home advantage will mean they will be aiming for nothing less than a win.
Walton Rowing Club – WLT-Harris
Walton has a strong reputation for pairs rowing. They regularly feature in Pairs finals at NSR and often provide the M2- for the J16 GB vs France Match. Ben Harris rowed in the Walton crew that came 5th in Sch 4+ at NSR last year as well as the pair that came 3rd in Ch 2-. He is an experienced athlete with success in this boat type. This pair should be fast and the other crews in the category will have to put in a big performance to beat them.
Emmanuel – EMA-Johnston
There aren’t many results for Emmanuel this year and none with the name attached. Two Emmanuel doubles did finish 6th and 7th in j18 intermediate 2x at pairs head, and this pair could be similar to one of these combinations. However, the two Emmanuel pairs entered in J16 2- at NSR both failed to qualify from the time trials, which makes me doubt that they will have enough speed to keep up with the entries from Hampton and Walton
Prediction
Walton are my favourites to take this one. Hampton has some talented athletes onboard and will be determined to take a win on their home water. However, I believe that the experience and obvious successes of the athletes in the Walton boat will see them through on Saturday.
TidewaySweeper
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