Before the Leander and Edinburgh University composite – which was the GB women’s quad who finished seventh in Tokyo – withdrew from this event, it was looking suspiciously like a one-horse race. But now, it’s anybody’s game. A few very interesting crews, some more established than others, which should provide the narrative for some scintillating racing.
Bath University and Plymouth Amateur Rowing Club
Comprised of athletes from a variety of backgrounds, Laura Macro won Championship Lightweight Single at Met Regatta and finished 2nd overall in the open event. Phoebe Hayden is a world class start athlete who won bronze in Intermediate Singles at BUCS Regatta. Rachel Borrows raced Championship Doubles at Henley Women’s Regatta and reached the semi final, whilst Rosa Thompson reached the semi finals of Henley Womens in the Aspirational 1x. A curious entry but one to keep an eye on in this curious year.
Hartpury University
After withdrawing from Henley Women’s Regatta, this crew will come into Henley Royal Regatta with something to prove. They finished second in the quads time trial at HWR so will have felt like they were in with a good shot of victory. They finished second in Women’s Championship Quads at Marlow Regatta, behind Leander who also feature in this event.
Leander Club
This crew are a bit of a smorgasbord of talent. Truax won the Women’s Quads event at Marlow, whilst Olubodun and George won the Quads at the Metropolitan Regatta; the latter also finished fifth in the W2x for Great Britain at the U23 World Championships this year. Expect good speed from these girls.
Thames Rowing Club and Neptune Rowing Club
A very interesting entry, containing Vwairé Obukohwo who romped away with the Aspirational Singles title at Henley Women’s Regatta and Elo Luik, who made the semi-finals of Championship Singles at the same event but also became the first Estonian to race in The Boat Race in 2016. She has also competed for her home country in a couple of international events. A potential dark horse.
The Tideway Scullers School
Winners of Aspirational Quads at Henley Women’s Regatta (the only quad event on the roster for senior women), this boat enter HRR with speed and momentum behind them. They did not race against Leander or Hartpury at that event though, so it’s anybody’s guess how fast they are in comparison to the front-runners in this event.
Prediction
Leander are probably slight favourites here, but you’d be foolish to look beyond the talents of Hartpury and TSS. I’m going to opt for a Leander win, with any one of the above making up the other place in the final.
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