One of the most anticipated events for the leading lightweight women in rowing has finally rolled around. At this year’s Henley Women’s Regatta, the bow and stroke of each championship lightweight double will have to nail their respective responsibilities to be in reach of the Haslam Trophy. With some standout competitors preparing for the side-by-side racing between the booms, this event promises excitement regardless of who crosses the finish line first.
Birmingham University Boat Club
Birmingham’s newly-formed crew entered BUCS Regatta this year without any expectations but are now one of the strongest competitors in the lightweight women’s arena. Their dominant win by over ten seconds in the women’s championship lightweight double at BUCS Regatta has established them as a formidable team, but it is important to also recognise the individual strength that each of these women bring to the double’s success. Erin Meredith, Birmingham’s women’s captain, won gold in the intermediate lightweight singles and bronze in the women’s championship double. Her partner, Emily O’Conner, was not prepared to be left behind and finished second in the women’s intermediate lightweight single, six seconds behind Erin. This duo’s performance at BUCS Regatta this year therefore positions them as one of the favourites coming into Henley Women’s Regatta. Their accolades did not stop at BUCS Regatta, however, as they went on to place third in the A-Final against non-lightweight doubles at Metropolitan Regatta, making them the fastest lightweight double at the event. Having held the title of fastest women’s lightweight double twice now, will they go three for three?
Dart Totnes Amateur Rowing Club
I believe this crew could be the underdogs in the fight for the Haslam Trophy. Louise Manning and Laura Macro have already shown they can compete closely with Birmingham and will be hot on their tails coming into Henley Women’s Regatta. Having finished fourth in the A-Final at the Metropolitan Regatta, they established their position as the second fastest women’s lightweight double. This will spur them on to win this event even more, as unfortunately there are no second-place prizes at Henley Women’s Regatta. Again, each member of this crew has individual experience which contributes to double’s success. Laura recently saw victory in the championship women’s single at Metropolitan Regatta, having won the lightweight women’s singles event for two years in a row. On the other hand, Louise’s qualification in the aspirational lightweight singles at Henley Women’s Regatta last year, where she was narrowly defeated by the eventual runner-up, adds to their competitive edge. If these women can bring their skill and experience to the double sculls, they will pose a huge threat.
Queen’s University Ladies (Ireland)
Although technically not as highly ranked as the Birmingham and Dart Totnes crews in previous competitions this year, Kyla Park and Rachel Canniford will be looking to build on their separate BUCS Regatta results and find new speed as a newly combined crew. Rachel’s second-place finish in the ‘A’ lightweight double and Kyla’s second place in the B-Final as part of the ‘B’ double definitely highlight their potential. They have shared experience of winning gold in the women’s intermediate lightweight quad at BUCS Regatta; this win undoubtedly boosts both their confidence and prospects for Henley Women’s Regatta.
Reading University Boat Club
Another returning crew from BUCS Regatta 2024, Imy Clements and Elizabeth Jeffcock will be aiming to improve their performance even further after making the B-Final at both BUCS and Metropolitan Regatta. Whilst this in itself is a fantastic achievement, Imy and Elizabeth will have been working hard to gain speed, knowing that they have been beaten before by some of the other crews entered into this event. Reading University Boat Club demonstrated strong results in this event last year, following last year’s winners, Durham University, very closely. A Reading University crew also joined the Australian National University team in the final of this event in 2022, after winning the time trial. Therefore, backed by Reading University’s notoriously strong lightweight programme, there is no reason why this crew cannot strive for similar results in 2024.
Boston University Rowing Club, USA
As part of the singular international crew in this event, Kylie Lough and Caroline Burchette are once again athletes whose separate achievements underpin a strong lightweight pairing. Kylie was a previous bronze medallist at the IRA National Championships and the bow seat in the junior double that placed fifth at the 2021 Head of the Charles. Caroline was a recent gold medallist in the collegiate double at the Dad Vail Regatta and also won gold in a lightweight double at the Scholastic National Championships as a junior. Additionally, she has valuable experience of Henley Women’s Regatta, having reached the quarter finals of the Bea Langridge Trophy for the junior quad in 2022. Most importantly though, this crew won the IRA National Championships two weeks ago alongside victory at the Eastern Sprints. This crew’s varying experience and success in the USA makes them a crew to watch, and I’m sure these women will not want to return home without a trophy.
Predictions
It is important to recognise that all of the lightweight women entered are fierce athletes, often punching well above their weight, both physically and metaphorically. Three other crews currently pose as wild cards in this category: Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association (H. Justicz & L. Brittain), Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club (N. Oehlckers & R. Setford) and a unique combination of Exeter University Alumni Boatclub and Exeter University (K. Burke & H. Wilkinson). Additionally, it will be interesting to see whether any of the entered crews are using these races to measure up against open women’s double sculls in anticipation for the Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta, or whether winning the Haslam Trophy at Henley Women’s remains the ultimate goal. Overall, I believe that the Birmingham University crew might achieve that triple win, supported by their recent achievements of becoming fastest women’s lightweight double at both BUCS and Met Regatta. I definitely think that the Dart Totnes women will give them a run for their money, likely to act as a challenger in the final but be pipped to the post. Lastly, I think that the Boston University crew definitely have the potential to switch things up and may come into Henley Women’s Regatta ready to beat the brits at their own game.
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