Two Walton pairs had great chances of winning their respective National Schools Pairs events but they were cancelled due to high winds in Nottingham. So at the last minute they entered the Metropolitan Regatta at Dorney. There are no junior pairs at Met so they entered Championship Senior Pairs which included entries from clubs, universities, GB squad triallists and several Irish pairs who came over to do their own u23 trials.
Their results against this strong senior opposition were impressive, with both crews making the A finals. Charlie & Jake came third overall in the very quick time of 7.03. Bella and Holly approached their final in trademark style, staying cool and relaxed in fourth place at 500m, then slowly moving up to second at 1500m and a devastating final burst to win by 7 seconds. The girls were presented with the historic Pairs Championship Goblets and Trophy which will be engraved with their names for posterity.
Pics by Ruth Weddell, Sophie Howells
