The women’s championship pair event sees the largest number of entries since 2017, all ready to battle their way down the 4.5-kilometre course. Multiple clubs have two crews entered, and I expect some close racing both within and between these clubs. Most of these women raced against each other in eights last season, so the rivalry will be fierce. Those who stay loose over the choppy Tideway water and maintain a consistent rhythm will find themselves higher up the standings.
London Rowing Club
With two entries in this category, London RC continues to step up as one of the dominant clubs on the Tideway. There is no doubt that the club is looking to retain the pennant won last year with an exciting entry of Samantha Morton and Gaby Morton. Sammy stroked the winning Cambridge eight for the 2025 Boat Race, having previously been selected as the Australian sweep spare for the 2024 Olympic Games. She is joined by her sister, who rowed out of LRC last year, progressing through multiple rounds of The Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. These two powerhouses have been practising over the summer, taking silver at the Lithuanian Championships, and look set to take the win.
Vesta Rowing Club
With two entries, Vesta will look to utilise their home advantage to break into the top three in this championship category. Vesta won this event in 2022 but have since been struggling to place above the other Putney Clubs. Elizabeth Barnett and Natasha Johnson appear to be their top pairing and are no strangers to each other, having raced as a stern pair in The Wargrave Challenge Cup eight in the previous season.
City of Cambridge
I’m excited to see the two entries from this Cambridge club make their mark on the Tideway. All four athletes were in last year’s eight that beat Vesta in The Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Sophie Helmers and Katie Price, stroke and bow seat, respectively, form a dynamic duo who will go up against their middle pair of Helen Nielsen-Scott and Annabel Daugaard-Hansen. I have no doubt both will be looking to chase down the Vesta pairs.
Nottingham Rowing Club
The only returning crew from last year’s race, Jojo Bowman and Laura Boddy, placed fifth. They should be aiming for a top four finish to show the progress they have made after a successful year, culminating in racing qualifiers at Henley Royal Regatta together in The Wargrave Challenge Cup. They have been core members of the Nottingham squad, which continues to grow in strength each year, winning at both sweep, sculling, and coastal rowing events.
Prediction
All these women have raced each other in eights. Now it’s time to see who can transition into the smaller, more technical boats. I expect the only thing that could upset the Morton sisters’ bid for the trophy is a steering disaster. I pick Helmers and Price for second, but I’m excited to see if the experience of the Nottingham combination will trump Vesta’s Barnett and Johnson on their home turf. At this early stage in the season, the fight for positions in the middle of the pack really is anyone’s game.
