An event which is often overshadowed by the likes of the eight and fours, although the pair still remains in being an incredibly challenging boat class. This year we have a total of 13 pairs competing, from the clubs Aberdeen, Newark and Nottingham. Also in the mix are some internationals who have just returned from the junior European Championships in Varese.
Queens Park High School
Not much is known about Grace Nugent and Sienna Taylor from Queens Park. That being said being a dark horse is by no means a bad thing. Having nothing known about you can be rather disconcerting for your competition. Queens Park High School are one of only four state schools in the country that have their own boathouse and its brilliant to see the lesser funded, smaller clubs be mixing it up with the powerhouses in the junior rowing scene.
Newark
A club we don’t hear too much from but don’t let this fool you. Training on the River Trent the combination of Neve Woodman and Connie Ferrer are well in the mix for Sunday’s race. Competing at the recent Nottingham City Regatta missing out on the win by just over three seconds, it is clear that these girls are quick, slick and ready to race. I fully expect them to be fighting for the medal positions in what is set to be an awesome race.
Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association
Zoe Beeson and Maise Aspinall have returned from Italy after racing at the Junior European Championships in the JW 2- where they finished an incredible fifth in the A final. They are very much favourites to take the win on Sunday and I would be very surprised if anyone can get close to them. Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association are a club with a rich history of taking juniors to GB representation and it is excellent to see them continuing on this trend.
Nottingham and Union Rowing Club
Certainly an inform crew after taking the win at Nottingham City Regatta just in-front of Newark. The duo of Madeleine Gisby and Amelia Apps are definitely in contention for a medal and I expect there to be a brutal battle for the top three places.
Kings School Ely
Another underdog crew. The Kings School Ely train on one of the best stretches of water in the country and their programme is led by Craig Ward. However they usually stick to sculling so it will be exciting how they do with just the one blade each. Will their skills be able to transfer to sweep? We will find out in a few days’ time.
Predictions
As aforementioned the Aberdeen crew are very much favourites for the win. Second place is likely to be very close between Newark and Nottingham, to call it I would say Nottingham to just edge out Newark who will finish third. Minor places in the A final are likely to be taken by Reading, Nottinghamshire and Royal Shrewsbury.
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