The Princess Royal is an event whose quality varies from year to year, but in 2021, it looks to be rammed with talent for what promises to be an adrenaline-fuelled event. With a mix of top British athletes and overseas entrants with strong pedigrees, the singles will be a vicious race for those in the boat and a must-see for those watching on the bank or at home.
L. E. B. Anderson (Leander Club)
Originally from Surbiton High School, she learned her craft under Head Coach Stewart Walker, who explained, “We knew if she could stay in a boat she would go far.” She certainly has. Even before graduating from the junior ranks, she had won a silver medal at the 2016 Junior World Championships, and three years later, would become an Under23 World Champion in the quad. On the senior circuit, Lola won bronze at World Cup III in the single, beating Olympians jetting off to Toyko. Lola is, without doubt, the home favourite and also my pick for Princess Royal champion.
P. Greiten (Ruderverein Osnabrücker, Germany)
Another deeply talented sculler, Pia, finished less than a fifth of a second behind Lola at the third World Cup, so she will desperately be seeking a redemption tale. She previously won silver in the W2x at the 2018 Under23 World Championships and raced in the German Women’s Eight at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta but wasn’t selected for Tokyo. She will be one of the fastest scullers in the event and Lola’s fiercest rival.
L. R. Henry (Leicester Rowing Club)
Another face recognisable from the junior circuit, Lauren raced in the double at the Junior World Championships in 2019 before winning at Open Trials this year and the Championship Women’s Single Scull at Met Regatta by a hugely convincing margin of over 10 seconds. She recently finished 4th at the U23 World Championships in the single, so she will undoubtedly be looking to bolster her racing portfolio with a strong showing at the Royal.
A. Proske (False Creek Rowing Club, Canada)
One of the handful of Olympic champions that will boat from Fawley Meadows this year, Andrea won gold in the women’s eight for Canada just a few weeks ago on the Sea Forrest Waterway in Tokyo; prior to that, she had taken a fourth and sixth-place finish at the 2019 and 2018 World Championships respectively. Andrea is certainly a superb athlete, but whether she can match the technical finesse of the more experienced scullers around her is yet to be seen.
K. Edwards (Nottingham Rowing Club)
Having first raced internationally in the Quad scull as a junior in 2015 (where she collected a silver medal at the World Championships), Kyra is no stranger to two oars and has recently demonstrated her domestic prowess by winning the Championship Single Sculls at Henley Women’s Regatta ‘easily’. Kyra was selected to race the double sculls for the 2019 season alongside partner Ruth Siddorn, but the pairing failed to topple the establishment. Nevertheless, if Kyra can pull a remarkable race or two out of her hat, she’s certainly a contender for a weekend spot.
Conclusions & Predictions:
Lola – as already stated – is my pick to claim the title in this event, though she will face stiff competition from the likes of Andrea and, in particular, Pia, who will be looking to right the wrongs of World Cup III. Regardless, the Princess Royal is certainly an event you should be watching closely.
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