The excitement a new season brings is invariably tempered by the ultimate realisation that we’re faced with head races for the never-ending winter months. We’re back on the Tideway for the second race down the Championship course this season. Pairs Head is typically an event that attracts local clubs in the junior category, but racing pairs is no easy feat. Pairs are known for being a challenging boat class; requiring absolute skill and an evenly balanced crew to master them, add the challenge of the Tideway course to the mix and you’ve got a race that can make even the most experienced racer crumble.
St Paul’s Girls’ School Boat Club
St Paul’s Girls’ are currently the holders of the WJ18 2- title, and this pair will no doubt try to retain the pennant. SPGSBC had a good run in sweep boats last year, with two of their boats making A finals in the 4+ and 4-, and their 8+ making the Henley Women’s quarter-finals, they’ll be looking to make a strong start to this season. Both of these athletes, Goetz and Kavukcuoglu, are well seasoned, having raced at HRR twice before often together as a pair even within the 8+, so their crew chemistry holds them in good stead.
King’s School Canterbury
This King’s School Canterbury pair (Turner/Butterfill) are returners from last year, where they placed 5th, and will be looking to improve on that this year. King’s are another club that are looking to solidify their place in junior women’s sweep, with an A final appearance in the girl’s Championship 4- category at the National School’s Regatta and an HWR qualification, and Pairs Head would be a good place to start off their 2023-24 campaign.
Mundener Ruderverein von 1912 e.V. Germany
Pairs Head doesn’t typically see international competitors in the junior categories, but I have no doubt these two will be tough competition if they’ve made the trek across the channel. With both reaching the A final at the JtfO Fall Finale for their respective clubs. Mundener Ruderverein von 1912 e.V. Germany is a club that is well-known for producing strong crews that can rival some of the top British crews and this pair of Kanne/Schleef will be no exception.
Other entries
Wimbledon High School, Walton Rowing Club and Putney High School have all fielded two pairs a piece into this category. Another entry to watch is the Barn Elms BC pair, who train on the Tideway and so will have good knowledge of the course and the best way to race it – something not to be underestimated on a 6.8km course.
Prediction
I believe the Mundener Ruderverein pair will come out on top this weekend, closely followed by the St. Paul‘s and King’s Canterbury pairs, respectively.
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