At the culmination of the season the 2000m blue stretch of Eton Dorney is the only thing left standing between the crews of 2024 and the glimmer of glory. In this year’s girl’s championship pairs category, 25 crews will fight it out for victory and the prestigious Leander Cup. In an event characterised by technical skills and partnership these women have their psyches tested as well as their strength.
Glasgow Academy RC
Forming half of last year’s winning Henley Women’s crew, the pair from Glasgow Academy prove a formidable force for any contesting crews. With a good showing at trials this year and history of racing this event together, notably competing in the pair together at the 2022 GB vs France, it seems reasonable to expect another dominant performance.
Enniskillen Royal BC
Like the Glasgow girls, will the long, often infuriating, hours of travel light a fire inside the girls from Nothern Ireland? Jokes aside, this crew has some serious firepower, with athletes placing well at trials this year. If they pull it all together, I would not be surprised to see them challenging for the top step.
Godolphin & Latymer School BC
With one of this crew’s athletes placing third in this event last year, the crew from Godolphin and Latymer have both strength and experience on their side. This weekend they will put to test the age old that states one year older is, actually, one year wiser, and hopefully – for their sakes – one year stronger too.
Predictions
In an event that allows small clubs to challenge at the highest level and attracts many entries, the competition in the girl’s championship pairs will prove to be tough. That being said, I find it hard to look past the caliber of the Glasgow Academy crew in predicting the victor. After that I can see it being anyone’s game to battle it out for the other two positions, but I also expect the Enniskillen girls could be up there.
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