The Bedford stretch is populated with multiple bridges, sweeping corners, and plenty of wildlife. This course is one that can be easily won by both the coxes line and the athletes ability to compete in multiple side-by-side knockout rounds. This preview includes some background information on each club to provide an insight into one of the most exciting categories of the regatta season: eights.
Lea Rowing Club
First up is Lea Rowing Club and based on their performances so far this year at Hammersmith Head placing fourth and 15th in Club Eights and at WEHoRR, which meant they finished 50th and 113th overall, they are very much a crew to watch.
City of Cambridge
With decent results at WEHoRR, the crews from City of Cambridge finished 65rd, 93rd , and 155th, highlighting the strength and depth of the squad. It is unknown which crew they will be sending to this event, but after a win in the Women’s Club Eights at Head of the Cam, this crew will be coming into this Regatta feeling confident.
Norwich School
Norwich School will be looking to gain some good side by side racing experience heading into the summer season, and after an impressive 12th place finish at Schools Head of the River earlier this year, Norwich cannot be discounted in this category just because they are a junior crew.
University College, Oxford
In a composite with their Alumni Club Martlet, University College Oxford placed 90th at WEHORR. Following this, at Oxford City Bumps the college finished second in Division two. Last year at Bedford Regatta, their best results was a third in Women’s College Eights (Group B) and in order to push into the final they will need to find that extra burst of speed.
Worcester College, Oxford
Also present at Oxford City Bumps were Worcester College Oxford who finished eighth in division one. Last year at Bedford Regatta they had middle of the pack results, they managed to get sixth place in Women’s College Eights (Group B) and came fifth Women’s Eights (Band 2).
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College Oxford have two crews entered in this event, doubling their chances at progressing through the rounds of racing. In division one at Oxford City Bumps they placed fifth, three spots above Worcester College Oxford and will likely be looking to beat them again.
St Peters College, Oxford
Rounding off the Oxford colleges, is St Peter’s College Oxford who finished third in division two at Oxford City Bumps just behind University College Oxford. Last year at Bedford Regatta they placed fifth in Women’s College Eights (Group B), again just behind University College Oxford so will be working hard come out on top this time.
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Moving on to Cambridge colleges, first we have Pembroke College Cambridge, who at Hammersmith Head earlier in the year won the Women’s Development category with a time that would have placed them second in the Women’s Club category. They were also the fastest college crew of those who raced from Oxford and Cambridge, suggesting they could be one to watch out of the colleges competing.
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College Cambridge attended Bedford Regatta last year and placed second in both the Women’s College Eights (Group A) and Women’s Eights (Band One). With experience of the water and two near misses of winning, this crew will be fighting for the win this year.
Jesus College, Cambridge
The last of the Cambridge colleges is Jesus College Cambridge. Similarly to Emmanuel College Cambridge, Jesus were at Bedford Regatta last year and finished just behind Emmanuel in third for both the Women’s College Eights (Group A) and Women’s Eights (Band 1).
Predictions
Based on previous results this season I can see Lea, City of Cambridge and Norwich placing in the top three. However, the Oxford and Cambridge colleges will not make this easy and I expect University College Oxford and Pembroke College Cambridge to be the biggest challenges for the top spots in the final. The rest of the colleges will be fighting to place higher than each other, making this category one that will provide exciting racing in each knockout round.
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