Despite what was a disruptive rowing calendar last year, Pairs Head was one of the only Head Races we saw last year albeit with it being restricted to tideway clubs only. Raced across 4500m between Chiswick Bridge and Harrods Depository, Pairs Head always provides some exciting racing and is a good chance for crews to gain some experience along this course before some of the larger crew boat races are held here later in the year. The junior women’s pair event appears to be an exciting one to watch with numerous experienced crews on show this weekend.
Putney High School BC
With the largest entry into the event, there is no doubt the crews from Putney High School BC are set for a strong performance this weekend. Three out of the four pairs entered containing athletes from their first eight of which was the first-ever crew representing the school to race at Henley Royal Regatta. This could be an indication of the high calibre of athletes developing under Putney High School’s programme and if so they have the potential to be a dominant force this weekend within this event.
Henley RC
Historically Henley Rowing Club has produced a high standard of athletes and with two pairs entered into the event this weekend, this is set to be no different. Both crews have all members having raced Henley Royal Regatta bringing the experience within sweep as well as the time spent together refining technique last season. With such an impressive entry into Henley Royal Regatta last year for Henley RC with two eights entered into the Junior Women’s Eight and Wargrave Challenge cup, it is a clear indicator of the strength within the group and the programme run there putting little doubt in Henley to put down a notable performance at Pairs Head this year.
Tideway Scullers School
Arguably one of the biggest up and coming clubs within junior women’s rowing, the pair from Tideway Scullers School appear to be looking for a strong permanence this weekend. Janss Lafond raced both Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta within the first eight which will hopefully bring some valuable experience to the crew. It will be exciting to see this crew come down the course and see whether the skills gained from the larger crew boats will have an effective transition into the pair.
Emanuel School BC
This looks to be the only crew within this event to have raced last year at Pairs Head potentially giving them an advantage on Saturday. Furthermore, it appears that this crew have had experience training and racing together for a long time which will help them this weekend in hopefully creating a strong rhythm to come down the track and put in a good race.
Weybridge RC
The two pairs representing Weybridge Rowing Club look to have been rowing together for while with them all in the J16 4x at National Schools Regatta last year. It will be interesting to see whether they can transfer into the top age bracket of junior racing as well as making a successful swap from sculling into the different technicalities of sweep especially those which come with rowing in a pair.
Ardingly RC
Ardingly Rowing Club’s pair look to have racing experience together racing at National Schools Regatta within this boat class. Having the rest of the summer to develop, it will be exciting to see how this combination performs down this longer course.
Walton RC
Walton RC’s pair also appear to have a good history within sweep with Francesca Morland placing 2nd in the four at National Schools Regatta. Bringing the experience from racing at a high level into the crew it would not be a surprise if this crew put in a strong race this weekend.
Predictions
With the standard of racing looking to be very high this weekend, it is difficult to name who will come out on top. With their strong history and recent performances, it looks to be the crews from Henley RC that are set to come out on top however with it being such a long break for many since head racing last it could be anyone’s game in seeing who will take the victory within this event.
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