The first regatta of the season was held this weekend at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham, in glorious sunshine. If the GB team selection panel didnt get headaches from sunstroke, then they surely the racing results gave the odd twinge.
The regatta held everything that you expect from sport – there was drama, there were athletes taking strides forwards and others, well, reaching for reverse.
Paul Wycherley in action last year. Photo credit Antony Edmonds
Much of the drama unfolded on the first day of racing, Saturday, with Sunday confirming that some results, which might have been deemed a surprise, demonstrating that they werent in fact such a surprise.
The first finals on ‘golden pond’ were the Mens A. Paul Wycherley through down a carbon copy of his run last year, to bag the 1000m plaudits. Jon Boyton, taking second with Ben Farrell in 3rd. It turned out to be a day of wins for Wycherley – every boat he stepped into, was unbeaten. He took the K2 place with Jon Boyton and then added soom Va Va Voom to the engine room of the K4 to comfortably take 1st place again.
Selection problem 1: What to do with Paul….. the options are several… Race K4? Race K2 with Boyton or take a second entry in the World Cup series in K1…mmmmm
Add Tim Brabants to the mix (absent this weekend) and the conundrum magnifies.
Smart money could see Wycherley doubling up in K2 and K4
Then to the women. There are always problems with women – good problems.
Angela Hannah - strong performances this weekend
This race series saw Jess Walker begin to perform to something more like what she is capable of. She took the WK1 500m by some stretch , she then stepped into the K2 to win with Lani Belcher plus she had a good series in the 200s. Angela Hannah too had an outstanding weekend – in a photo finish for 2nd place in the K1 500, a second place in the 200m. She’s pushed herself right up there into contention for the front-line positions. Hayleigh Mason must surely be feeling the heat.
Selection Problem 2: When Rachel Cawthorn returns to full racing capacity, (she adds such a lot to the K4) , who does coach Miklos Simon see as his best 4? I don’t think Rachel will be risked in the K4 until late in the World Cup series. Walker is clearly the name in the slot for the K1 200, does she have an opportunity in K2 with Lani and will Hannah find herself with a World Championship profile?
The 200ms squad was on parade and didnt disappoint. The order of things seems well settled there with McKeever, Heath & Schofield all favourites to retain their spots. Richard Jefferies has again moved on in C1 200m and should fill that position uncontested.
Over the longer distance of 1000m, James Train outperformed Matt Lawrence.
A delightful performance was given by Eric Jameson (Wey KC) in C1 in the Mens B/C class, showing that while maybe some of the fitness has slipped away, the racing guile and nous is fully intact, ably demonstrated by a win. How good to see him back on the water.
Selection Problem 3: Does the Selection panel send both athletes to race the 2 entries permitted in the World Cup series, to decide who gets the nod and a tilt at the World Championships? Are either realistically on track to achieve Olympic qualification?
We await the selectors musings – it took 5 hours of deliberations to work out all of the nuances.. lets see what they decide. I’ve got my crystal ball out, and for what its worth, here are my picks
WC1 & 2
MK1 1000m T Brabants
MK2 1000m P Wycherly/ J Boyton
MK4 1000m B Farrell/ P Wycherley/ J Boyton/ A Daniels
C1 1000m J Train
MK1 2000m E McKeever
MK2 200m L Heath/ J Schofield
C1 200m R Jefferies
WC 2
WK1 500m R Cawthorn (if fit)
WK2 500m J Walker/ L Belcher
WK4 500m A Edmonds/ L Sawers/ A Hannah/ H Mason
WK1 200m J Walker
The path the the World Championships, Olympic Games qualification lies ahead
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