Holders J. Morrison and M. Musnicki, USA
Entries: 14
The entries are out, pre-qualifiers have been confirmed and the final countdown is on. Henley Royal Regatta is a matter of days away.
With a small number of international entries the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup is littered with domestic crews which could make for some intriguing head to heads between the booms. Holders Jessica Morrison and Meghan Musnicki are not back to defend their title this year, so a new champion will be crowned.
Flo Donald and Daisy Bellamy, Leander
A new combination, Flo Donald and Daisy Bellamy have not raced together before but both are exciting athletes. Donald has been part of the British Rowing team as a spare so far this season, whilst Bellamy has been part of the Leander squad. Both were competitive at final trials in their respective pairs, Donald placing seventh and Bellamy in sixth. They have since have raced internationally – Bellamy winning the coxless four both days at the Wedau Regatta in Duisburg and Donald in the spares raced at Europeans. Both athletes are also entered in the Leander four in the Town, so they could have a busy schedule ahead of them. If they can link up quickly as a pair they could be strong and challenge for a space in the semi-finals at least.
Rebecca Edwards and Chloe Brew, Leander
Another new British combination, Rebecca Edwards and Chloe Brew are the most experienced of the British crews. Both raced in the Tokyo eight and have been a part of the British team for some time. Last year, Edwards was part of the winning Leander/Imperial composite in the Remenham and went on to win silver at the Europeans later that season. This year, after placing seventh at final trials, she was a spare for both Europeans and World Cup two, so will no doubt be hungry to get a few races under her belt next week. After an impressive start to the season, placing fourth at February trials, Brew has struggled with a back injury in recent months. This is her first regatta race this year so, like Edwards, she will be desperate to get a few runs down the track. With their experience and pedigree these two are ones to watch.
Anna Kracklauer and Chiara Kracklauer, Ruder-Club Allemannia von 1866 e.V., Hamburg
Similar to the British team, the Germans appear to be entering younger, developmental crews into some of the events at Henley this year. These sisters are an intriguing combination. Older sister Anna raced in the German eight throughout last season after an impressive U23 career. Chiara has not yet represented Germany at senior level, but has also impressed at U23 level, stroking the eight in 2022. With little pairs results to go off, they are an unknown quantity heading into next week; but if other sibling combinations in rowing are anything to go off they could be exciting prospects.
Emily Lindberg and Elizabeth Witt, University of London and Imperial College London
This composite has raced a number of times so far this season. They will be on a high after their recent win at Henley Women’s and will hope this momentum continues deep into the Henley week. Lindberg is soon to call an end on a stunning university rowing career, having finished her medical degree, whilst Witt is a promising up-and-coming development athlete. They both will have a point to prove and want to beat other domestic crews. Under the guidance of Head Coach Anthony Smith, they continue to go from strength to strength and will look to take some scalps next week.
Juliette Perry and Amelia Standing, Leander Club
Another new-look line up, Perry and Standing will also be doubling up in the Town alongside Donald and Bellamy. Perry had a stunning result at final trials in April, placing second and beating multiple senior squad crews. Standing was sixth in the same event. Both raced in the winning four in Duisburg and continue to post impressive results. They will want to better the other British crews and continue to bang on the door of the senior team. It would be unsurprising to see a big result for these two next week.
J.L.D. Mitchell and E.C.A. Gaffney, Melbourne University
This Australian crew looks to be exciting. Both have some strong international experience. Mitchell raced in the eight in the 2022 season, placing fifth at Worlds, whilst Gaffney raced in the pair, placing third in the B final. This is Gaffney’s first year out of U23s and both have little results to indicate their form this season. They did place fifth at Australian trials, which is impressive in a country with so much depth. If they continue to step on they could be one of the favourites for the event.
Prediction
With no stand-out crew, the Hambleden could be wide open. Any of these crews could make it to the weekend and from there it’s all to play for. I expect Perry and Standing might be do the best out of the British interest, meeting Mitchell and Gaffney in the final.
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