Back for another year, it’s Henley Women’s Regatta! Three days of celebrating women in rowing and championing all those who are competing. The lightweight categories in particular have a strong emphasis this year as the decrease of international lightweight events will inevitably eventually filter down to the domestic level in the coming years. This event also gives these athletes the opportunity to race on the iconic Henley course, as many will not be competing at Henley Royal itself.
Reading University
First up is I. Lancaster competing for Reading University. Having placed fourth at BUCS Regatta in the championship lightweight category, and more recently first in the lightweight category on the Saturday of the Metropolitan Regatta, she will be looking to dominate the competition again this weekend.
Queens’ University, Ireland
S. McCormick from Queens University Ladies finished fifth in the championship lightweight category at BUCS Regatta this year, however did not race recently at the Metropolitan Regatta. It will be interesting to see how she fares against some of the other women in this category in the later rounds this weekend.
Worcester Rowing Club
Next is C. Jackson from Worcester RC, who finished as the third lightweight on the Sunday of the Metropolitan Regatta, suggesting she may be one to watch in the later rounds of this event.
Marlow Rowing Club
Similarly, A. Bradley of Marlow RC finished just behind C. Jackson at the Metropolitan Regatta, placing fourth out of the lightweights on the Sunday, and will be aiming for a similar result this weekend.
Derby Rowing Club
On the Saturday of the Metropolitan Regatta, H. Taylor from Derby RC made herself known by finishing fourth and should also be one to watch fighting for a spot in the later rounds of the event this weekend.
Nottingham Rowing Club
K. Cooper of Nottingham RC, placed just behind H. Taylor on the Saturday of the Metropolitan Regatta in fifth. She was also knocked out in the first round of this event at HWR last year by L. Kennedy of Surrey University. She will be looking to improve on this result and aim for a spot in round two this year.
Surrey University
As just mentioned, L. Kennedy of Surrey University competed in this event in 2023, making it to the top four of the event before being knocked out in the third round. More recently, she finished third in the intermediate lightweight single at BUCS Regatta, showing her strength in this event has continued into this season.
Exeter University
Also racing at BUCS Regatta was S. Halliwell from Exeter University, who placed just behind L. Kennedy in fourth, narrowly missing out on the bronze medal. Following this, at the Metropolitan Regatta she finished as the sixth-fastest lightweight on both the Saturday and Sunday, giving her vital race experience heading into the weekend.
Birmingham University
H. Gilbody of Birmingham University was also racing at BUCS Regatta in the lightweight event and finished fifth just behind S. Halliwell. The same happened again on the Saturday of the Metropolitan Regatta where she placed seventh, so will be looking to close the gap and make it to the second round of racing this weekend.
Durham University
On the Sunday of MET Regatta, the seventh-placed finish went to C. Readman-Bell of Durham University, really emphasising just how close we can expect racing to be in this event this year.
Notable Mentions
Some notable mentions for this event are A. Hallett from Dart Totnes ARC who placed seventh at Wallingford Regatta in the women’s challenge single sculls for the Regatta Sailing Cup, and eighth out of the lightweights on the Saturday of the Metropolitan Regatta. Another mention goes to D. Ward of London RC who placed slightly higher at Wallingford Regatta, finishing fifth in the same category
Finally, some results from last year who have not raced in the previously mentioned events this year. A. Pickthall from Upper Thames RC was knocked out in the second round, and L. Daniels of Hollingworth Lk, and Z. Gautier-Price of Grosvenor RC were both knocked out in the first round. All three of these women will be looking to qualify again and hopefully better their finishing position from last year.
Prediction
Based on recent race results, I would predict we are looking at a tough battle at the top between I. Lancaster, S. McCormick, and C. Jackson. This will be followed up by L. Kennedy, A. Bradley, and H. Taylor, who will all be fighting for a spot in the later rounds of the weekend. There are also many unknown entries this year which should make for a close qualifying time trial, and provide some extremely exciting side by side racing that ultimately shows the mental resilience all of these women have to compete in side-by-side racing in a single.
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