After two years away, BUCS Head returns to the domestic UK rowing scene this weekend with the River Tyne playing host to one of the country’s most popular head races over a 3km course. The Men’s Championship Quad category is an opportunity for university programmes to stamp their authority on the academic sculling scene as we edge ever closer to regatta season.
Reading University BC
A constant presence in men’s sculling, Reading consistently turn out quality quads that always place highly at both BUCS Head and BUCS Regatta. A programme coached by Olympians Chris Bartley and Charlotte Taylor, Reading focusses exclusively on sculling. Expect this year to be no exception, already with a win at Fours Head and Henley Fours & Eights Head under their belts, Reading have some serious momentum this season with some strong athletes that will want nothing more than to make a statement by taking the win this weekend.
Hartpury University BC
In recent years, Hartpury have built a formidable men’s sculling programme under the watch of head coach Will King, due to their training being primarily sculling-based. The men picked up a second place at the Metropolitan Regatta last year in the Championship Quad event, beating Reading ‘A’ by a margin of 0.4 seconds as well as reaching the Friday of the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
Newcastle University BC
Coming off the back of a win the Championship Quad event at BUCS Regatta last year, Newcastle have to be mentioned as a serious contender for the win in this event. With a number of well drilled athletes that can both scull and sweep well, if Newcastle decide to prioritise this event they could well walk away with the win. Reaching the final of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup is a testament of the strength of NUBC at the moment and I think they’ll have a genuine chance this weekend.
Prediction
I would put my money on Reading taking the win in this event, followed by Hartpury and then Newcastle. Entries from Bath and Durham have a chance of shaking things up, however, and as always the conditions will play their part.
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