The magnificent Dorney Lake once more plays host to this weekend’s Metropolitan Regatta. The regatta, popularly known as the ‘Met Regatta’, draws Britain’s finest to the epic Dorney Lake to produce the even more epic spectacle of Britain’s best and strongest battling it out in the eight-lane championship course. The open championship pairs are, as ever, a hotly contested event packed with some of the country’s finest rowers and those at the very top of their game, pushing for Olympic and national teams. In this run-up to Henley Royal Regatta 2025, the crews will be putting their best feet forward to emerge as the ones to beat this regatta season.
Shiplake College Boat Club ‘A’
Shiplake College BC, the distinguished Oxfordshire club, enters this race with four crews, but for the purposes of this preview, we will focus on their ‘A’ Boat. This extraordinary programme has consistently delivered at the highest tier of British rowing competition, and they have been a constant force at regattas and heads. The club has gained national recognition for its elite training programmes and competitive success, producing numerous athletes who have represented Great Britain at international competitions.
Following an epic win in the Queen Mother’s Cup at the curtailed National Schools’ Regatta 2025, the club will want to keep the good times rolling and transfer their success into these smaller crew boats. This year’s ‘A’ boat will be led by Isaac Dean, and whilst they are certainly competing against the best of the best in Britain this weekend, that has not stopped Shiplake from prevailing before, and I don’t imagine that will be changing anytime soon. Shiplake’s stratospheric rise to be one of the country’s finest clubs puts them in high consideration for the title this weekend. With another three boats entered from the club, they certainly have their fair shot at a strong finish.
Thames Rowing Club
The epic club from the mighty river of London, Thames BC, will be a stand-out crew this year as always. As one of the country’s most prestigious and elite clubs, the club has a rich history of competitive success and has played a significant role in British Rowing growing into the international force that we see today. Following a remarkable 2024 season that saw the club clinch multiple titles at Henley Royal Regatta, including the prestigious Thames Challenge Cup, Wargrave Challenge Cup, and Britannia Challenge Cup, Thames RC enters this year’s competition with a legacy of excellence and a fierce determination to continue their winning streak. Under the careful supervision of Head Coach Sander Smulders, supported by Jack Stoddart, Thames has jumped from one success to another, and thanks to their incredible facilities and training programme, Thames RC are well positioned to keep on achieving.
With this year’s pair being commanded down the beautiful Dorney Lake by Brown, the crew is in good standing to challenge for the gold. This pair, partaking in the same rigorous training program which has consistently brought home domestic greatness for the club in countless trophies and medals, are certainly packing the grit and strength to win this race. If they can harness their strength and blend that with a real harmony in the pair, there will not be much in their way of leading the field.
Leander Club
The famous, glorious and elite Leander Club – world-renowned and internationally revered – offers an entry to this year’s championship pairs. Representing over two centuries of excellence, Leander Club’s entry into this year’s open championship pairs blends technical precision, relentless power, and that unmistakable Leander flair. Led down the course this weekend by none other than Matthew Fielding, this pair will pack immense amounts of national and international experience, with the pair both having participated in numerous Henley Royal Regatta campaigns as well as currently being among the strongest Britain has to offer in rowing right now, they should have little in the way of hindrances when the lights go green and the blades get moving.
Under the careful tutelage of Ali Brown and Mathew Beechey, Leander has continued their incredible and unmatched legacy of consistent success. With the boys undoubtedly bringing the strength and technique to Dorney, they are certainly going to be near the front of the pack this weekend and if the wind blows fair for them, it could very well be their trophy to take home on that relatively short journey along the road to the pink palace of Henley-on-Thames. Expect rhythm. Expect grit. Expect pink blades flying through the water like it’s Henley week in fast-forward.
Cambridge University Boat Club
Likely still buoyed by their epic Boat Race 2025 victory, Cambridge University BC have sent some of their finest to Dorney this weekend to battle it out for the championship pairs against the heavyweights mentioned above from across these isles. With a rich history dating back to 1828 and a commitment to excellence, CUBC’s entry in the Open Championship Pairs is more than just a race—it’s a testament to years of dedication, camaraderie, and the pursuit of greatness. With the immensely talented Rob Baker at the helm of Cambridge’s world-class rowing programme, there shouldn’t be much stopping the crew from the East from dominating the field. Cambridge’s recent form positions them as strong contenders, though they will face formidable competition. This year’s pair from the east will be led by Rutherford and they will want to continue CUBC’s strong season with a win at Dorney this weekend. As they take to the water, expect nothing less than a display of technical mastery and competitive fervour.
Prediction
I find it hard to look past the crew in pink from Leander in this race. The pair has what it takes to make this race theirs, and I must say from my perspective it’s theirs to lose. I believe they will be closely followed by the crews from Thames and Cambridge, who will battle it out for the silver position. No matter the result, this race will be one to watch, and I wish all athletes the very best of luck.
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