Pairs Head, the first sweep race on the Tideway is back for the 2022/23 season. With the event not being run since 2020 due to last year’s head race being cancelled for weather conditions, this year brings excitement as to who will claim the fastest Women’s Champ Pair for the Pairs Head 50th Anniversary. Worcester RC, Cantabrigian RC, Mortlake Anglian and Alpha BC, Curlew RC, Putney Town RC, and Vesta (with two boats entered) are the challengers for the Women’s Championship Pair this year.
Vesta RC
Vesta RC have always had a strong women’s club programme as seen in the summer across multiple regattas. With two crews entered in this event it will be interesting to see how both crews get on but with their previous performances and being on their home stretch I expect to see at least one of these crews in the top three.
Putney Town RC
Also on home water, this crew of Carboo & Warren from Putney Town will have the advantage from training on the Tideway most days. With Putney Town always being in the mix in events run on the Tideway I would imagine this crew will put down a decent result and be in the top of the results for this event.
Mortlake Anglian & Alpha BC
Another club home to the Tideway, this club have entered this event in previous years so have experience of racing at this level. The club had some good results from last season having qualified three boats for Henley Women’s Regatta, one of the boats being an eight which shows their level of women’s sweep is up and coming and in particular I look forward to seeing how the pair of Ramsey & Lloyd-Williams get on in the Women’s Championship Pairs.
Predictions
Many of the clubs entered raced each other last season and were close in various events, indicating there could be some great competition for this year’s Pairs Head. However, I do expect to see Vesta in the top three and Putney Town being in the mix too, but you can’t write off Worcester as they have been seen to be under dogs in previous events. Similarly Cantabrigian, they have had some good results last season and it will be intriguing to see if they can continue to produce the same level of results for the start of the season.
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