Georgia Miansarow has withdrawn for medical reasons. She will be replaced by Laura Bates.
Six of the country’s top single scullers are preparing to contend for the title of champion of the Thames. On the long journey from Putney to Mortlake, the competitors will not only be fighting the tideway’s testing conditions but will also be attempting to find the racing line that will get them there the fastest. The stacked field will definitely provide some exciting racing.
Cambridge University Boat Club: Imogen Grant
Last year’s Wingfield Sculls champion, Grant, is back to defend her title this year. This will be Grant’s first performance of the season, following her qualifying the lightweight double for the Olympics and becoming both European and World champion. The Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) athlete has also lifted The Boat Race trophy multiple times, so she is more than familiar with the championship course. In the 2022 race, Grant also proved her ability to deal with the unpredictable conditions the tideway has to offer. Her tireless approach to racing enabled her to battle from last to first, following a tussle with Robinson-Ranger and Mole. This makes Grant the firm favourite for this year’s race.
London Rowing Club: Georgia Miansrow
After an incredible debut, winning the headship at Vesta Scullers Head of the River by a massive 19-second margin, Miansrow will be gearing up to give Grant a run for her money. A former rowing Australia athlete, Miansrow has both U23 and senior world championship medals in sculling boat classes. This world-class athlete will be challenging Grant for her title as champion of the Thames.
University of Birmingham Boat Club: Katie Mole
Following last year’s dramatic race, Mole returns to the Wingfield Sculls this year. The University of Birmingham Boat Club athlete is an excellent single sculler, placing second at Vesta Scullers Head of the River this year. Mole will be back with a vengeance in 2023, so will be a serious threat to the rest of the field.
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club: Jenny Bates
Bates is another phenomenal single sculler, having kicked off her season winning the senior women’s pennant (third overall) at Vesta Scullers Head of the River. As an athlete in the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club programme, Bates will be more than accustomed to the challenges of side-by-side racing. There is no doubt that Bates will be a gutsy racer and will provide some serious competition.
University of London Boat Club: Georgie Robinson-Ranger
Another athlete returning to the championship course is Robinson-Ranger of the University of London Boat Club (ULBC). The ULBC athlete showcased her audacious side-by-side racing ability during the first round of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup, beating Marie Zeigler in a nail-biting race. This talent, paired with her home-water knowledge, positions her as a tough rival for her competitors.
Grosvenor Rowing Club: Sarah Mackay
Mackay had an excellent performance at this year’s Vesta Scullers Head of the River, placing fourth in the championship single. She is also an experienced side-by-side racer, having qualified for the Princess Royal Challenge Cup three years in a row. It will be interesting to see how the Grosvenor athlete performs on the day.
London Rowing Club: Laura Bates
The beauty of single sculling is that insurgency happens with far more regularity than in the bigger boats. Although Laura Bates is no slouch, her rise in 2023 has been fantastic to watch and has firmly cemented her as a lightweight sculler to watch. After finishing 34th at February trials (seventh fastest lightweight), she finished fourth in Intermediate Lightweight Single Sculls at BUCS Regatta before her crowning glory some six weeks later. At Henley Women’s Regatta, she successfully navigated a time-trial and four rounds of racing to be crowned Aspirational Lightweight Singles victor. Hailing from the University of Leeds and Newark Rowing Club – two boat clubs whose backing pales in comparison to some of the athletes she took down on her way to glory – Laura has a bright future in the sport and will be competing for London Rowing Club in place of Georgia Miansarow tomorrow.
Predictions
Grant will be hard to beat. Her excellent course knowledge, athleticism and relentless approach to racing make for a lethal combination. Having freshly qualified for the Olympics, she is in a class of her own. Miansrow and Bates will provide great competition for Grant and these two athletes could be fighting it out for second place.
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