The Vesta Scullers Head marks the beginning of the British rowing racing season. Anything can happen on the championship course, especially in the single scull. Not only is this race physically demanding, but it is arguably one of the most mentally challenging events of the season. Alongside battling testing tideway conditions, competitors are solely responsible for their racing line, which can add minutes to an arduous journey from Chiswick to Putney. The senior women’s category is stacked with talent, who will be looking to start the new season by hitting the ground running.
Jenny Bates (Oxford Brookes University Boat Club)
After a phenomenal last season, Jenny Bates is back with Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (Brookes). Bates took win after win last year, being a member of the winning Henley Women’s Regatta Championship 8+ crew and, of course, the winning Henley Royal Regatta Island Challenge Cup crew. Bates is also a formidable single sculler, placing fourth in the B final at British rowing final trials last season.
Coming into the new season, there is no sign that Bates will take her foot off the gas. Speaking on the End of The Island podcast, Hugo Gulliver (the Brookes women’s head coach) made it clear he is planning to take the Island Challenge Cup champions to lift the Remenham Challenge Cup in 2024. With all this in mind, there is no doubt Bates will be hard to beat in this category.
Aoife Keane (London Rowing Club)
Another strong athlete in this category is Aoife Keane, now a member of London Rowing Club (London RC). Keane had a great last season with Imperial College Boat Club (IC), finishing her time with IC by winning the Aspirational single at Henley Women’s Regatta. Aoife’s strength in the single scull and years of experience on the tideway makes her a contender to challenge for the top spot in the category.
Georgie Haynes (Thames Rowing Club)
Georgie Haynes has returned to Thames Rowing Club (Thames RC) following her incredible season winning the Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Georgie is also an expert sculler, having raced the senior women’s singles last year and placing second in the category.
Haynes has been pitted against Bates in the Henley Women’s Regatta championship 8+ final, so it will be interesting to see how these former adversaries stack up against each other starting this season.
Norwich Rowing Club
All three Norwich Rowing Club (Norwich) scullers deserve a mention.
Elizabeth Dashley is racing with Norwich after a successful season with the University of Birmingham Rowing Club. Dashley raced British rowing November trials and went on to join the England rowing team for the Home International Rowing Regatta. Carys Haf also raced Home Internationals for the Welsh rowing team. Mirella McGee is another experienced Norwich athlete, having even competed in the single on the Head of the Charles Regatta course.
It will be exciting to see how this talented group stack up against their competitors- and what their plans are for the season ahead!
Predictions
Jenny Bates is a step above the rest of the category; she will be hard to beat for the fastest senior woman. The more interesting battle will be between Aoife Keane and Georgie Haynes for second fastest. However, anything can happen on the Tideway- even experienced athletes can struggle with the conditions of the day.
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