With only three entries, it’s going to need to be a ruthless trinity of contenders vying to take home the Parkside Trophy for championship lightweight pairs this year. With last year’s champions from Radcliffe College of Harvard University not in attendance, it’s anyone’s race and a mix of returning crews and first-timers should make for a stirring showdown.
Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club
A first time entry into this event Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club. Assuming this is the same pair that raced Pairs Head earlier in the season – featuring Anna Barkemeyer and Eleanor Preston – this boat are now set to try their hand on the Henley stage. The crew have had a respectable run over the season, with a decent row at Pairs Head before just missing out on the B-Final at the recent Metropolitan Regatta. With little information available to compare this duo to the competition, it is going to be exciting to see what stamp Barnes Bridge can make on Henley Women’s Regatta.
Molesey BC & Surrey University
Assuming this is the same crew as last year, Surrey University’s Sacha Kennedy and Molesey’s Claudia Williams are back for another crack at the Parkside Trophy. Returning to the Henley course as last year’s semi-finalists, the pair are joining forces in the hope of securing their spot in the final, which they missed out on in 2023 by a few lengths. Kennedy has been a key feature of the university circuit this season, taking home a silver in the intermediate lightweight pair at BUCS Regatta earlier this year as well as a gold in the lightweight four at BUCS Head. With neither of last year’s finalists returning, could this be their year?
Quintin Boat Club
Having already secured a spot in the final in the draw, Jess Hardwick and Sophie Young from Quintin Boat Club will be hoping to continue a successful season of racing at Henley Women’s Regatta. The pair have produced a very respectable set of results so far this year, with highlights including finishing eighth in the women’s championship pairs category at the Metropolitan Regatta, along with the crowning glory of winning women’s championship pairs at the Hammersmith Regatta for the second year in a row. After just missing out on the semi-finals of this event last year at the hands of Kennedy and Williams, they will be keen to reverse the narrative this time around.
Predictions
It’s a tough call between the two HWR returners. If previous results were any indication, it was the Surrey/Molesey composite crew who knocked out the pair from Quintin last year. However, given the racing experience this pair possess and the standard of their performances this year, Hardwick and Young have a very real chance of taking home the Parkside Trophy.
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