As Henley Women’s Regatta approaches, anticipation is growing for the W. Peer Cup in the Championship Doubles category, set to be one of the weekend’s most thrilling sculling events. With seven competing crews entering for side-by-side racing, spectators can expect intense competition and closely contested finishes over the 1500-metre course.
Reading University
Reading University, renowned for its esteemed sculling programme, will showcase the formidable duo of Ellie Cooke and Finnola Stratton in the upcoming competition. Ellie, a second-year student studying Ancient History and Archaeology, is widely regarded as the UK’s top under-23 women’s sculler. Her impressive record includes a gold medal and two silver medals at the BUCS Regatta, highlighting her exceptional skill and dedication. Finnola Stratton has consistently delivered strong performances. Their participation in this event underscores Reading University’s commitment to excellence in sculling and showcases the promising futures of both athletes in the sport.
Bath University
At Bath University, rowers Rebekah Court and Ella Fullman are making significant strides in the sport. In the last few weeks, they demonstrated their prowess by finishing second in the A Final at the Metropolitan Regatta on Saturday and securing a victory on Sunday. Ella Fullman, a European U19 rowing medalist, has already made a remarkable impact on both national and international stages. She recently finished as the U21 runner-up at the GB trials. Her achievements include making her international debut for Great Britain at the Munich Junior Regatta in May and claiming gold in the junior women’s singles at the Coupe de la Jeunesse a few months later. Rebekah Court has also been a valuable asset to Bath’s rowing team, contributing to their gold medal in the quad at the BUCS Regatta and helping them reach the final of the aspirational coxless quadruple sculls at the Henley Women’s Regatta last summer.
Oxford Brookes x Thames Rowing Club
Fresh off a strong performance at the Holland Beker, where they dominated the women’s double sculls (W2x) event with commanding victories on both days, this crew from Oxford Brookes and Thames Rowing Club is riding high on international success. Freya Keto and her doubles partner, Jenny Bates, extended their winning streak by representing the Great Britain squad at the World Rowing Cup III. Keto and Bates are pivotal members of ‘Project LA,’ an ambitious initiative aimed at preparing top-tier talent for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. With their sights set on competing at the highest level, this duo is poised to make a powerful statement on the water, showcasing their skill and synergy between the booms.
Leander Club
Leander Club is set to make a strong impression in the championship doubles category, fielding two crews. Leander ‘A’ will feature the powerhouse team of Bibi Colgan and Isabel Llabres Diaz, who bring a wealth of experience and talent, promising a competitive edge in this event. Leander ‘B’ will be represented by the skilled duo of L. Burton and H. Cooper. Hannah Cooper’s rowing journey began at Hartpury College, where she notably clinched victory in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. Her talents took her across the Atlantic, where she further honed her skills at the University of Wisconsin.
Prediction
The championship doubles competition promises to be fiercely competitive, with each race expected to be tightly contested. However, I have high expectations for the disciplined partnership of Keto and Bates, who I believe will provide formidable competition to the highly skilled field of elite scullers.
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