Image Credit: TresKasen
This year’s pairs championship has 18 entries, four of which are U23. We could see some crosswinds from the north on Saturday, which would make the Bosbaan lane dependent. With further good weather expected, here’s a preview of the top crews:
Makker/Van der Bij (NED)
The only pair from the national team, Makker and Van der Bij, row for separate Amsterdam clubs, Nereus and Skøll. The pair competed in the Dutch eight that won silver last summer at the Paris Olympic Games, but this is the first time we’re seeing them together in the pair. Although they have no international rivals, seeing how Jan van der Bij has recovered from the celebrations after winning the Varsity two weeks ago will be interesting.
Tilanus/Bloemen (Nereus)
A new combination from Nereus, both Tilanus and Bloemen have separately won the U23 event in the pair before, and they rowed to triumph in the age-old event, the coxed pair, at the Varsity two weeks ago. A fast-starting crew with a lot of power, they’ll be looking to challenge the squad pair and compete for the win.
Cocu/Rienstra (Aegir)
The pair from the North have already had success this year in the eight, where they won at the Head of the River. Last weekend at the Bosbaan Opening Regatta, they finished first in the intermediate pairs event with a tidy lead over Laga. Nevertheless, Sunday’s race in the elite category saw them narrowly finish behind Tilanus and Bloemen. It seems it will come down to who peaks better this weekend.
Van Rijn/Perotti (Nereus)
The pair from Nereus are both junior athletes, and they have not competed together yet. Although they were entered for the Varsity, they did not start due to confusion over the start times. They will be focused on the U23 medal at this year’s event, as Van Rijn is only 18 years old. Nevertheless, I’m sure they’ll strive to beat their senior clubmates.
Prediction
I would expect Makker/Van der Bij to lead this regatta. Coming from the squad, they should comfortably lead the younger athletes. Nevertheless, the student crews are expected to race aggressively out of the gate. Van Rijn/Perotti will likely take the U23 medal, but they must first manage the wind on Saturday.
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