The Metropolitan Regatta is one of the first in the summer season where we get the opportunity to see all crews that may be targeting Henley Women’s Regatta or Henley Royal Regatta come together and race. Many will be keen to put in a strong performance and get themselves recognised for pre-qualification, and others will be keen to see where they shape up against potential rivals.
Met is also unique in the sense that categories within boat classes are put together for the finals, meaning even more emphasis is placed on the time trial, leading to exciting side-by-side racing in the finals. Plus, with some only racing on the Sunday due to oversubscribed entries, this event looks to be one to watch on both days.
City of Oxford RC (C Armstrong)
A contender for one of the top spots is Armstrong of the City of Oxford RC. Having placed sixth in the Saturday C final and sixth in the Sunday B final at Met last year, she has experience on the course that she’ll be looking to use this year. So far this season, Armstrong finished first at Wallingford Regatta and is racing on both days at Met this year. I expect she will be one to watch and will be aiming for a place in the A final.
Nottingham RC (J Titterington)
From Nottingham RC, Titterington is also racing on both days this year. She finished first in the Saturday C final and second in the Sunday B final at Met last year, following this with making it to the second round of racing at Henley Women’s Regatta (HWR) in The George Innes Cup for Championship Singles. This year so far she placed second at Wallingford, just behind Armstrong, and will be looking to challenge for one of the top spots in the A final this weekend.
Upper Thames RC (N Holland)
Holland, racing for Upper Thames RC is another top contender racing both days at Met. Last year she finished fifth in the Saturday C final and fifth in the Sunday B final, and then like Titterington made the second round of racing at HWR, but in the Godfrey Rowsports Trophy for Championship Lightweight Singles. This year, a third place at Wallingford, puts her in and amongst those aiming for a top three finish.
Grovesnor RC (S McKay)
Racing for Grosvenor RC Chester, McKay will be using her experience from pacing eight in the Saturday A final at Met last year to aim for a similar result on the Sunday of racing this year. She also made the second round of racing at HWR last summer in The George Innes Cup for Championship Singles suggesting she is more than likely to gain a spot in the A final this year and challenge those who gained similar results last season.
Walbrook RC (N Gallagher)
Another potentially aiming for a spot in the Sunday A final this year is Gallagher, racing for Walbrook RC. Last year at Met, she placed fourth in the Saturday C final and fifth in the Sunday B final, followed by making it to the second round of racing at HWR last summer in The George Innes Cup for Championship Singles. This suggests she will be one to watch on Sunday and will be looking to lay down a marker for the rest of the season ahead.
Notable Mentions
Two notable mentions this year, and potential underdogs, are Birch racing for Leander Club and Coffey racing for the University of Limerick RC IRE. The former placed fifth at Wallingford and the latter finished fifth in the Sunday A final at Met last year. These two will be looking to secure places in the A final this weekend and potentially challenge for one of the top spots.
Predictions
Based mainly on racing this year so far at Wallingford, I predict the top three will remain the same with Armstrong, Titterington, and Holland fighting it out for the first place. Yet, others such as McKay, Gallagher, Birch, and Coffey are also ones to watch who may overthrow any of them and clinch the win.
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