In the pair, the tightest of margins can make all the difference. This year’s Metropolitan Regatta sees an impressive 16 Women’s Championship Pairs on the roster on Saturday, and a smaller but mighty still pool of seven on Sunday. Based on previous performances this season, I will shed light here on a handful of crews who may just have the edge over the rest of the field at the weekend, though that is by no means guaranteed.
Leander Club / University of London BC
On Saturday, the dangerously speedy combination of Leander’s Abigail Topp and UL’s Phoebe Snowden appear to be back with a vengeance since their notable absence from the April installment of GB Trials. Topp and Snowden are highly decorated athletes in their own right, each with Henley finals and U23 selection already achieved. While Saturday’s draw is certainly not short of talent, I’d be hard pressed to rule out at least a top three finish for this pair.
Cambridge University BC
Four pairs of light blue blades from Cambridge University will adorn Saturday’s time trial. With Boat Race winners and BUCS Regatta medalists alike in these crews, I have no doubt that the Cambridge ladies will give us yet another virtuoso technical display on Saturday, as they have done so well thus far this season. The likelihood of us seeing all four pairs in the A final will be dictated by the strength of the rest of the pack, but I’d expect at least their top pair to push above-mentioned Topp and Snowden all the way to the finish.
Thames RC
Another household name when it comes to highly successful women’s sweep programmes year on year, albeit traditionally in eights and fours, is Thames. Thames appear to be fielding the same two pairs on both Saturday and Sunday. Statistically speaking, these crews may have a better shot at glory on Sunday, given the absence of a number of Saturday’s big hitters. That said, I’m sure doubling their chances of a medal will count for something, and they join the clubs already mentioned in my ‘ones to watch’ list across the weekend.
City of Bristol RC
Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, springs to mind when I think of City of Bristol’s women’s sweep programme in recent years. Boasting a population of women’s athletes comparable to that of above-mentioned Thames, Bristol are proving time and time again that they are not to be sniffed at. Recent performances that put them on the map at Henley Women’s Regatta, Tideway head races, and a number of local excursions are testament to this, and they even claimed third in this very event at last year’s Met. With what appears to be the same pairing drawn to race both days this weekend, Bristol will undoubtedly cause a stir – watch this space.
Others
With Saturday providing a much more populous draw than Sunday, spots in the A final are by no means out of reach for Upper Thames RC, Cork BC, or either of the Oxford University pairs. I’m sure the junior entrants from St Paul’s Girls School BC and The Kings School Canterbury BC will also be knocking on the door. For Sunday’s seven-boat lineup, above-mentioned Thames and Bristol are joined by crews from Cambridge ‘99 RC, Quintin BC, Cantabrigian RC, and Leicester RC. One crew will unfortunately find themselves on the proverbial chopping block, but they certainly won’t go down without a fight.
Prediction
For Saturday, I’m going with the U23 internationals Topp and Snowden of Leander and UL for the win, but it will not be smooth sailing by any means, especially not if Cambridge or Thames have anything to do with it. Thames might just edge Cambridge into third, though. For Sunday, I’m going to sandwich Bristol into second place between both Thames Crews, though Bristol have known to surprise us before. Good luck ladies!
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