An event that consistently provides some of the Regatta’s closest and most entertaining racing. Previous winners have crossed the pages of fantasy rowing to lay their heart and soul out on the Henley course and many count a win in that corner of Oxfordshire countryside as one of their foremost victories. The uppermost echelon of sculling have graced this event on more than one occasion and 2021 looks no different, with Olympic champions and future Olympic prospects crossing blades and bows.
J. Copus & Q. J. N. Antognelli (Oxford Brookes University)
A pairing who have been found in bigger boats together in the past, Jamie and Quentin will be a strong combination to watch out for. Jamie was in the LM2x that did not manage to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, whilst Quentin represented Monaco at the Olympics in the M1x. Both have pedigree at Oxford Brookes, having tasted Henley success in the past.
A. J. Hedge & J. W. J. Plihal (Craftsbury Green Racing Project, USA)
An exceptionally strong crew that forms another part of the compelling Craftesbury Green Racing Project contingent. This boat won the USRowing Nationals in 6:17 and have U23 world championship representation under their belt – Plihal participated in the USA BM4x in both 2017 and 2018. Hedge rowed in Columbia University’s Varsity Eight for 3 of his 4 years at the school.
F. McCarthy & P. O’Donovan (Skibbereen Rowing Club and University College. Cork, Ireland)
All hail the Olympic champions. The Irish duo were victorious on the waters in Tokyo, claiming the LM2x title, and now come to Henley on a quasi-victory tour. Even with relatively little training behind them in the past two or three weeks, they will surely take some stopping. The Olympic title completed a stunning two years, in which they also won the World Championships in 2021 and the Europeans earlier this season.
S. P. S. Meijer & M. E. C. Haywood (The Tideway Scullers’ School and Nottingham Rowing Club)
Both of these guys are key parts of the next generation of British sculling, having collected U23 gold in the M4x in 2019. Haywood picked up the prestigious Wingfield Sculls title in October and raced at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. Meijer raced at WC2 for Great Britain, placing 12th overall in the M2x. They could prove the strongest resistance to the Irish pairing.
S. W. Townsend & C. P. Cousins (Reading University and Leander Club)
Two former Great Britain sculling team-mates combine forces in this exciting and (relatively) unusual duo. They were second-placed in Open Doubles at the Metropolitan Regatta, 0.4 seconds behind the Leander U23 crew. Both athletes are sub-six on the ergo for a 2k, which shows the shape they’re in, so I would not be at all suprised to see them taking on the fastest crews with some venom.
Prediction
Let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to look past the newly-crowned Olympic champions in the Lightweight Men’s Double. The Irish twosome will take some stopping but word is that they feel their greatest challenge will come from the raw power of Meijer and Haywood, two of Great Britain’s brightest sculling prospects. I fancy the Irish to do it though – but they also should not underestimate the speed of Townsend and Cousins.
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