2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Pairs Head and the WJ18 2x looks certain to excite. After last years restrictions on entries, it is great to see so many crews entered this year. With 25 doubles in total, it will be great to see some fierce competition on the water.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley have entered just the one double into Pairs Head this year, but it looks like an exciting combination. O’Donohue dominated the field at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls last weekend, winning the WJ18 1x by nearly 45 seconds. Luke also raced extremely well, placing second in the WJ17 1x in a time that would have put her second in the WJ18 category. With lots of small boat speed already shown this season, this crew is certainly one watch.
Wycliffe College Boat Club
Wycliffe have entered four doubles: Howe/Fullman, Dewar/Egan, Sekinger/Fielder and Hoien/Taylor. Fullman won the WJ17 1x at Scullers Head, with Howe in second and Dewar in third. Egan won the WJ18 1x, albeit in a slower time than her WJ17 counterparts, followed by Fielder in second and Taylor in third. Experience racing and steering on this course already this year will be an advantage to Wycliffe as they try to challenge for the win.
Tideway Scullers School
The Regan/McCarthy double is the sole entry from TSS in the WJ18 2x this year. Regan won this event last year, although the field is much stronger this time around. McCarthy placed fifth at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta in the J16 4x. With the advantage of knowing the course really well, a good line could see them in the top 5.
Newark Rowing Club
Newark have had some great results in the past few months, with third in the Ch 2x at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta and qualifying a boat for Henley Royal Regatta and winning the first round before being knocked out by the impressive Shiplake quad. The double they have entered at Pairs Head is the same as the one that came third at NSR. Additionally, Woodman came fourth, and Ferrer was seventh in the WJ18 1x at Scullers Head. With lots of experience together, this crew could be one to look out for.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Maidenhead’s entry is a double of Jones and Parcell-Arregi. Jones placed sixteenth in the Ch 2x at the 2021 National Schools’ Regatta, and more recently Parcell-Arregi placed tenth in the WJ18 1x at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls. Maidenhead have had good results at this race in the past, placing first, fourth, and seventh in the WJ16 2x in the 2019 edition. Racing Pairs head before will certainly help this crew as they look to challenge for a top 5 finish.
York City Rowing Club
The York City entry includes Jackson, who was in York City’s Ch 4x that pre-qualified for Henley Royal Regatta and made it to the last eight at Henley Women’s Regatta. It will be interesting to see what their speed is like in a double, but discount York City at your peril.
Other Entries
Other entries include multiple crews who row on the Tideway: two doubles from Team Keane, Putney High School, Emanuel School and Westminster School, and one from Kings College School. These crews will have the steering advantage, which could see them rise up the rankings. In addition, Weybridge Rowing Club and Walton Rowing Club have both entered two doubles, Walbrook Rowing Club have entered one, and there are crews from further afield in Norwich School and a Monkton Combe/Minerva Bath composite. With little racing from these crews, it will be interesting to see how they fit into the rankings this weekend.
Prediction
The Henley double appears to be the standout crew, so I’m predicting them to win, with Wycliffe, Tideway, Newark, Maidenhead and York City battling out for the minor placings. If you pushed me, I would say the Wycliffe double of Howe and Fullman will take second place, but I reckon it will be a very close contest.
Steady Steight
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