As if in the blink of an eye the winter is over, crews have formed, and we have reached the season’s climax. It’s now the time of year that we all hunger for and once it’s over we’ll eagerly wait for next year. Henley Women’s Regatta is one of the most exciting events of the season with racing over 1500m providing crews the chance to let loose guns blazing. For some this race will be the centre-piece of their season, while for others it acts as a stepping stone to Henley Royal or even international events if they are fortunate.
In the Championship Singles we see an interesting mix of GB Start athletes, students and club rowers and with only ten entries this relatively small field will compress quickly with some exciting races to look forward to particularly towards the latter end of the Regatta.
R. Wilde, Bath University BC
Although Becky Wilde has has a tough season in-and-out of injury and as such having to miss some key events including trials, she is a talented sculler evidenced by her win with teammate Amelia Hempleman-Adams in the Championship Double last year at HWR. Going solo this time around she will settle for nothing but the title as she looks to stamp her authority on the field ahead of what will hopefully be a fruitful summer for her.
M. Leeuwenburgh, KSRV Njord, NED
The only overseas entry in this event, Margot Leeuwenburgh raced at the Ghent International Spring Regatta earlier in the season and placed second in the Women’s Single event. Although this is not the full Ghent Regatta which people on this side of the channel will know (she did not seem to attend this event), this still shows some pedigree with a highly competitive field in this particular category.
M. Curry, Queen’s University Belfast BC
The Queen’s programme has gone from strength to strength in recent times, this season they did incredibly well at BUCS Regatta despite only entering sculling events. Molly Curry will look to continue to play a part in her club’s successful season at HWR as she tries her hand at the Championship Single. At BUCS, she placed fifth in the singles event behind some some very impressive athletes none of whom we see entered here. Nonetheless, I’d say this result puts her towards the top end of this field and she should be looking to progress to the final stages of the Regatta.
Prediction
While one can never be sure, I would be very surprised not to see Becky Wilde in the final of this event, most likely facing Leeuwenburgh from the Netherlands. However, in these small boats anything can happen and we have seen previously unknown athletes do amazing things in the past to beat a well know opponent.
Good luck to all.
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