Holders: E Craig & I. Grant
Entries: 19 (to be reduced to 10 by Qualifying races)
Seven crews have been pre-qualified. One of the most interesting partnerships is Olena Buryak and Agnieszka Kobus-Zawojska (racing as Ukrainian Rowing Federation, Ukraine and Akademicki Zwiazek Sportowy Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego Warszawa, Poland – definitely one for the commentators to get their teeth around!) Kobus-Zawojska won silver in the W4X at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze in Rio. Buryak, who is based in Poland due to the war in Ukraine, has been racing as a senior international since 2007 and raced at both the London and Rio Olympics.
Australia has a lightweight and openweight combination with Georgie Gleeson and Georgia Nesbitt. Gleeson made her senior debut at the Poznan World Cup finishing fourth in the W4X. Nesbitt raced in the LW1X in Poznan winning silver. She made her senior debut in 2013 and is a former World silver medallist in the LW4X from 2017.
Racing as Wairiki Rowing Club are the New Zealand LW2X of Rachael Kennedy and Jackie Kiddle. Kiddle was world champion in the LW2X in 2019, but following the retirement of Zoe McBride now has a new partner, Rachael Kennedy from the Waikato Club. This will be their first appearance on the world stage as a double, so it’s going to be very interesting to see what sort of speed they have.
One of the strongest combinations will be the French duo of Elodie Ravera Scaramozzino and Helene Lefebvre (racing as Société d’Encouragement du Sport Nautique). They have been racing together as a double since 2015 and finished fifth in Rio and eighth in Tokyo. France have never won a women’s event at Henley, but this duo will stand a very good chance of rectifying that.
Australia have also entered their LW2X in this event, Anneka Reardon and Lucy Coleman both made their senior debuts at the Poznan World Cup winning the silver medal.
Gold medallists in the LW2X in Poznan was the US duo of Molly Reckford and Michelle Sechser (racing as Sarasota Crew and Cambridge Boat Club). They also raced at the Tokyo Olympics reaching the A-Final. Sechser has been racing internationally since 2012 and was World bronze medallist in the LW2X in 2017.
The only British crew to have pre-qualified are the GB Start graduates Vwairé Obukohwo and Katherine George (Leander Club and Twickenham Rowing Club). They were winners of Championship Doubles at Henley Women’s Regatta and will be racing U23 W2X at the Holland Beker. Racing the Stonor will be invaluable experience for them as they begin their international careers.
Predictions: I think this could well be France’s first ever win in a women’s event at Henley.
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