Taking place over both days this weekend, the Metropolitan Regatta has one of the largest fields of both club and university women’s doubles that we’ve seen so far this season. Many crews are only racing this event on one day of the regatta as scullers try to figure out which boats to carry forward through the racing season. With the European Rowing Championships taking place this weekend, the GB squad will be absent, so we will be looking at those who have just missed out on selection to take the top spots.
Saturday
Hartpury University & College Boat Club / Nottingham Rowing Club
The first crew setting off in the Championship Women’s doubles on Saturday is a composite crew formed of Hartpury University Boat Club and Nottingham Rowing Club. Representing Nottingham Rowing Club, we see Poppy Baker, who previously raced at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the double, so has plenty of experience in this boat class. Baker also won the B-final at GB April Trials in the double. Ellie Dash of Hartpury University and College also competed, placing just behind Baker in second place. If these two athletes have teamed up, they could be a successful combination and would be looking to take one of the top spots.
Bath University Boat Club
Bath University Boat Club had a strong showing at BUCS regatta. They won bronze medals in both the intermediate and championship double before coming together to win another bronze medal in the championship quads. Ella Fullman and Rebekah Court also raced together at GB final trials. With plenty of side-by-side racing experience, I’d expect Bath to be present in the A-final and their top crew to push for the win.
Leicester Rowing Club
At Nottingham City Regatta, Leicester Rowing Club won the championship doubles. Webster has improved rapidly in the past few years after switching from competing in triathlon to rowing. Beginning with dominating the beginner events at BUCS Regatta 2022, Webster is now competing at GB trials and won a bronze medal in the intermediate single at BUCS Regatta this year. With the success this crew has had already in regatta season and the strength of Webster, Leicester should be aiming to make the A-final.
Predictions
I expect these crews to take the top three positions on Saturday, with the composite crew Hartpury University & College Boat Club and Nottingham Rowing Club in the top spot, followed by Bath University Boat Club.
Sunday
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club / Upper Thames Rowing Club
On Sunday, we see another strong composite starting the time trials. Bates from Brookes placed sixth at World Rowing Cup III 2024 as part of the Project LA squad and continues to impress with a second-place finish at November trials behind Olympic gold medallist Lauren Henry. Olympic gold medallist Imogen Grant joins Olympic aspirant Jenny Bates to form an incredible duo. As some of the country’s best scullers who are not competing at the European Rowing Championships, they should be set to take the win this weekend.
Reading University Boat Club
After a strong performance at BUCS regatta where they topped the medals table, Reading University Boat Club come to the Metropolitan Regatta with big expectations. They’ve had success in the doubles, taking the top two spots in both the championship and intermediate categories at BUCS regatta, highlighting the depth of their squad. This depth is exemplified by the four scullers they had competing at GB April Trials. Reading has dominated the university sculling scene, but some strong composites are racing this weekend, which may pose a challenge. With two boats entered, I’d expect both to be present in the A-final, with one at the top end looking to win.
Nottingham Rowing Club / Dart Totnes Rowing Club
Another composite crew entered in this category comes from Nottingham Rowing Club and Dart Totnes Rowing Club. Nottingham have several strong scullers, including Poppy Baker and Jen Titterington, who raced in The Princess Royal Challenge Cup last year. Laura Macro is one of the most talented lightweight scullers domestically. Over her extensive sculling career, she has won the Godfrey Rowsports Trophy at Henley Women’s Regatta twice, and then the Haslam Trophy last year. Macro also won the singles event at Metropolitan Regatta last year whilst competing in the lightweight category, showing her success isn’t limited to lightweight events. If this combination of scullers can adapt to row together, they should be aiming for the top half of the A-final.
Predictions
One double from Bath University Boat Club, which seems to be their top crew, continues to race on Sunday, but with a more competitive field, I would expect them to make the A-final again, but not quite manage a top-three finish. I would expect to see the composite of Oxford Brookes University Boat Club and Upper Thames Rowing Club in pole position, followed by Reading University Boat Club ‘A’, then Nottingham Rowing Club, Dart Totnes Rowing Club and Reading ‘B’ to be fighting for third place.
