There is no test of athletic boat speed in sweep that is truer than that of a pair. Each athlete is responsible for not only providing the stability for the shell but also the consistent power and rhythm required for the hull to travel in a straight and efficient line – often where less experienced combinations can get caught out. With a total of nine crews racing, it will be all or nothing in the time trial as each crew fights it out for one of the coveted positions in the final.
Emanuel School
This is Emanuel’s top-ranked boys boat. Isaac Thurnham raced for England at the Home International Regatta last summer, finishing second in the Junior Men’s Coxed Four and winning the Junior Men’s Eight sprint. Both of these athletes were also in the Emanuel eight which finished fifth in Boys First Eights at the Schools’ Head of the River in March. They also finished second in Challenge Pairs at Wallingford Regatta, less than two seconds behind Leander. This crew will start as one of the favourites to take home the gold medal and continue to build on the impressive work being done at Emanuel School.
Hinksey Sculling School
Although the name suggests Hinksey strictly focuses on sculling, year upon year their sweep programme has grown from strength to strength. At this regatta last year, Lamboll and Harris achieved a silver medal in the J16 Coxed Four, albeit with Harris coxing. However notably, Harris then did go on to race the ‘A’ final in the J16 double. Both have great pedigree which can be vital in races like this, so it will be interesting to see how they perform as they make their first appearances in championship events.
Llandaff RC
Llandaff have this year seemed to make an insurgence onto the junior circuit with their top pair winning junior trials. Although this is not the same crew, the likes of Carey-Read and Phillips will have been training alongside their trial-winning contemporaries for the past season so they will have picked up a thing or two. Racing in the eight last year, placing third in the C final, and now going into the pair which is at opposite ends of the spectrum as a boat class, it will be exciting to see if they can develop on last year’s result and be challenging for top spot.
1836 Club
The decision to restrict athletes from participating in more than one event over the course of the National Schools’ Regatta weekend was initially frowned upon. As ever though, this committee were a step ahead of everyone else as it has opened the field for smaller programs to come to the fore and flex their collective muscle. Clubs like 1863 Club – formerly London Oratory School – now have a clearer path to the podium in championship categories which will only serve to better inclusivity in the sport. The pair of Crozier and Dickens raced last year in the championship coxed four, making it into the ‘A’ final. These boys will be looking to build on this performance in 2023.
Nottingham County Rowing Association (NCRA)
Winners of the 2022 ‘B’ final in the J16 Double, Johnson and Smith of NCRA will be relying on their chemistry come race day. As a duo, synchronicity is critical to success and this will stand both athletes in good stead when they line up under the starters gun. Whilst I am not sure they can challenge the front of the pack in this category, the resurgence of NCRA as a domestic force has been a pleasure to witness and their fierce racing mentality opens the door to shocks and surprises.
With what is set to be an exciting weekend of racing ahead across the board, the Championship Men’s Pair looks to be no different. Going off what information is available, I would predict the boys from Hinksey and Emanuel will be battling it out for the win followed by the likes of 1836 Club, Nottingham County RA and Llandaff. However, with the nature of pairs racing being so easily turned over in a matter of 500m, we could easily see the other 5 crews of Monmouth School, Emanuel School, Reading Blue Coat School, Aberdeen Schools RA and Monkton Combe School all making a charge for top spot.
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