Metropolitan Regatta 2025 – Women’s Championship Single Sculls Preview

As the second major summer regatta held at Eton Dorney each season, the Metropolitan Regatta uniquely offers two days of racing. Here, we start to see the potential crew speed forming and front runners emerge as we head ever closer to both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. This article examines The Sophie Hosking Cup (Saturday) and The Earl of Iveagh Cup (Sunday) for the women’s championship single sculls.

Queen’s University Belfast Ladies Rowing Club: Molly Curry

Starting off strong, we have Curry racing for Queen’s University Belfast, who will look to lay down a promising result this weekend ahead of Henley Women’s Regatta. Last year, she placed as the third fastest qualifier in the championship single sculls and was subsequently seeded directly into the second round of racing. She then won that race but was unfortunately knocked out in the semifinals by the event’s eventual winner. I’m sure after claiming the win recently at BUCS Regatta in the intermediate single sculls, Curry will feel quietly confident heading into racing on Saturday.

Upper Thames Rowing Club: Imogen Grant

Grant will be a name many are familiar with on the sculling scene, especially since her incredible win alongside Emily Craig in the lightweight double sculls event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last summer. This season, she has been training out of Upper Thames Rowing Club in Henley and documented much of her post-Olympic life on social media while also starting her career as a junior doctor. With her most recent appearance at GB’s Invitational April Trials resulting in third place in the double sculls, plus her sheer wealth of experience, Grant will be a favourite to win when she races on Sunday.

Reading University Boat Club: Meg Knight

Another athlete who only competes on Sunday is Knight from Reading University. She also recently raced at the GB April Trials and placed a strong third in the double sculls B-final. Following this, she competed at BUCS Regatta and won the B-final for the championship single sculls, so I’m sure she will be looking to build upon this on Sunday and aim for the A-final, potentially pushing for a top-three finish in this strong field of athletes.

Nottingham Rowing Club: Jen Titterington

Racing for Nottingham Rowing Club, Titterington has continuously shown strength in this event. Last season at this very event, she placed third on the Saturday and fourth on the Sunday, highlighting her ability to perform well consistently. This was followed up by placing as the fifth fastest qualifier in the championship single sculls at Henley Women’s Regatta in 2024, and then making it through the first round. More recently at Wallingford, she finished third in the challenge single sculls, getting her season off to a flying start. Again, she is racing on both days this year and will be one to watch.

Vesta Rowing Club: Isabelle Maxwell

Following close behind Titterington at Wallingford was Maxwell, from Vesta. Placing fourth, she puts herself in a prime position to challenge Titterington this weekend and possibly turn the tables to come out on top. Aside from a fight at the top of the field on Sunday, this battle could provide some of the closest racing.

Notable Mentions

Two notable mentions must go to O’Flynn of Tideway Scullers School, who placed third in the Poplar Regatta single sculls, and Shepherd of Reading Rowing Club, who finished as the fourth fastest non-qualifier in the aspirational single sculls at Henley Women’s last year. Both of these athletes have previous experience in this event and will be looking to improve this weekend.

Predictions

With half of the field across both days having not raced at major events in this category in the last year, some underdogs could emerge this weekend. Yet, I feel confident that we will crown the winners on both days of those mentioned above, particularly on Saturday. I am excited for a nail-biting fight between Curry, Titterington, and Maxwell. With the addition of Grant and Knight on Sunday, who will both have the advantage of fresh legs, I would love to see Grant dominate the field and prove exactly why her name is already cemented in the history books.