Whilst the doubles event is often overshadowed by the quads and eights, this year’s draw shows a competitive field with 36 boats racing across the Sunday, compared to 32 and 11 entries in previous years, so this will be an exciting watch.
Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club
With a hard-to-beat combination of Kathryn Burton and Aggie Burt, this Wycliffe crew is definitely in contention for a podium finish. Individually they have both had impressive performances; Kathryn sat in the three-seat of the GB Coupe quad last summer and Aggie won the April regatta at U19 GB trials this year. The recent Junior Sculling Regatta also proved that they can work this crew together as they achieved the record time for the event. It will be interesting to see if and how they have progressed from there coming into next weekend.
Molesey Boat Club
Following up from a strong second-place at the Junior Sculling Regatta, Molesey Boat Club are certainly a good shout for a podium finish. Liv Cheesmur was selected for the Munich International Junior Regatta just two weeks ago so there is clearly talent in the crew and they will no doubt be aiming to close the three-second gap between themselves and Wycliffe from the Junior Sculling Regatta.
Sir William Perkins School
There is yet another Coupe 2022 athlete in this double as the SWPS crew is bowed by Anna Fay Cowell who dominated the European match last summer with two gold medals in the women’s double. This crew has had some impressive previous performances this season with a narrow third at the Junior Sculling Regatta and a win in the double at Wallingford. They will definitely be on the hunt for a medal this weekend.
Other mentions include Exeter Rowing Club, who will look to be hanging on to the front of the peloton off the back of a fourth-place at the Junior Sculling Regatta; Tideway Scullers School, who are renowned for having a large squad of strong junior athletes who could dominate any category and Hartpury, who had a fast time in the A final of the J17 women’s double at the Junior Sculling Regatta and could possibly translate this into the championship category this weekend. Of course, there is a plethora of other crews who are yet to make an impression in the category this year but could certainly bring some fierce competition.
Predictions:
With such close finishes at Junior Sculling Regatta and potential across the board it is all to play for in the championship girls doubles this year at National Schools’ Regatta. However, I think the named crews are most likely to reach the A-final and bring some exciting racing this Sunday.
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