This year in the Aspirational Academic eights there were 30 crews that needed to be narrowed down to just 16, with some of the usual suspects from the UK mixed with international entries- the early heat rounds gave some interesting racing.
Leeds v D S V R Laga (Netherlands)
Lagar had a very early lead off the island. By the barrier they had two lengths and continued to extend lead and then calmed down as they came into the finish. As the commentators mentioned, the dutch rowing style is very punchy and distinctive, this worked well for them today.
York vs Newcastle A
There was a big margin straight away off the start and the typically strong Newcastle were showing why they have their reputation today. They already had two lengths on the boat from York by the enclosures and they had taken the rate down by the barrier- cruising into the finish.
Durham A vs Newcastle B
Durham took an early lead off the island, very substantial and convincing, in a direct contrast to the race that had come before it was the light purple crew that looked stronger over their northern neighbour. By the time the two crews came near the barrier, Durham extended their lead and had taken the rate down.
A.A.S.R Skoll (NED) vs Cardiff University
The second dutch crew that raced in these heats and they also stormed down the course. The crew from Amsterdam had a convincing lead by the halfway marker and then continued it, they were pushing away from Cardiff effectively and came through to take the win.
Clark University, Worcester MA (USA) vs Exeter University
Clark had a good weekend at reading amateur regatta, but despite this they did not have not the decisive lead coming off the island. Exeter gave it everything they had to hold on to them as long as possible and they were still within touching distance by the barrier. Clark have a very distinctive style of rowing again and eventually they used it to pull away and cross the line first.
Oxford Brookes vs University College London
After a warning to their championship eight crew already today the Brookes crews were on thin ice, they still rowed at their usual standard and this crew had a nice early lead off the island which they continued to extend throughout the race.
NUI, Galway vs Worcester Polytechnic, MA ‘B’ (USA)
Galway looked good coming down the course and took a strong early lead which they extended. But the crew from Ireland didn’t take down the rate until they had a very convincing lead and ended up taking it easier over the line.
Bath University vs Worcester Polytechnic, MA ‘A’ (USA)
One of the tightest races in this category these two crews seemed very equally matched. They were neck and neck immediately off the start but there was the beginnings of a lead from the Worcester crew by the island. Bath have had a good season as a club so was interesting to see them down by a length before the barrier and the Americans eventually pulled away and crossed the line first.
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