The Pairs Head of The River gives us a glimpse of the talent of this year’s women’s sweep and allows us to see how the schools and clubs fare on the Tideway waters. Racing on the championship course is no easy task – especially not in smaller boat classes, so I’m sure this category will be filled with excitement. With only nine entries from four respective clubs, I suspect there will be small margins deciding the podium positions.
Headington School Boat Club
Haisman/Jeans
With Sophie Haisman coming fresh out of the U19 World Rowing Championships, she will be eager to mark her ground this season, alongside her pair partner Isobel Jeans. Jeans captained the England Junior Women’s team to victory at the Home International Rowing Regatta this past summer. Both these girls will be looking to prove to not only their club, but also to all the other junior women’s crews that Headington School Boat Club will be a force to be reckoned with this year. As a result, I expect these girls to be fighting for the win.
Duxbury/Pillar
Notably, both of these girls were J16s in Headington School BC’s Henley Royal Regatta winning boat. Coming into their first year as a part of the school’s impressive senior squad, they will be looking to establish themselves as up-and-coming athletes. Ellie Duxbury will be looking to bring her international experience from the Coupe De La Jeunesse into this pair, and will be trying to hunt down the Haisman/Jeans pair setting off in front of them.
Yap/Nicholson
From the outside, this should be another strong pair from Headington School BC. Olivia Nicholson was also in Headington School BC’s Henley Royal Regatta eight, so inevitably she will be looking to set down an impressive performance. From stroking the school’s formidable second eight last year at the National Schools’ Regatta, Elayna Yap will also look to prove herself amongst this strong Headington School BC squad.
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club has also entered three pairs, showing the depth of their squad. With most of these girls having been in their first eight last year, they may be coming in with something to prove after a somewhat disappointing National Schools’ Regatta, with them coming second in the B-final. I predict these girls will be hunting down the Headington School BC pairs to prove that Lady Eleanor Holles School BC is back and fighting.
Latymer Upper School Boat Club
Latymer Upper School Boat Club has entered two pairs in this category. After the club came fourth in the B-final of the Championship Girls 8+ last year at the National Schools’ Regatta, they will be eager to show their development since May. With the tideway being familiar water, Latymer Upper School BC will be eager to show their strength on their home turf.
Walton Rowing Club
With one pair entered, this will be Walton Rowing Club’s top pair. Coming from a smaller club with less history in larger events, it will be interesting to see how Walton matches up with the other crews. Walton will definitely want to show their strength, especially coming from a smaller club.
Prediction
I predict that first place will be a battle between the Headington School BC pairs, with Haisman/Jeans coming out with the win. The minor positions are harder to call, with what I suspect to be a strong set of Lady Eleanor Holles School BC pairs hunting down the Headington School BC pairs all the way down the championship course.
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