Following a busy start to the 2022 head season with Quintin Head, Rutherford Head and other races, BUCS Head will return to Tyne after two years, with the 2021 race being cancelled due to COVID. While conditions look to be typical of head races, with rain and wind, the Women’s Championship Eight event will give an exciting insight into how the rest of this year’s racing will pan out and will be a great chance for many clubs to demonstrate the rapidly growing strength of their Women’s rowing programmes.
Edinburgh University BC
When Edinburgh University took to the Tyne back in December for some match racing against Newcastle and Durham, they sent a message that they are back strong and ready to fight with the big dogs. They have serious strength in numbers this season with a large women’s squad, including several representatives at GB Trials. While tricky weather has proved an obstacle to getting on the water so far this year, this does not seem to have had a hugely negative impact, with their top Women’s Coxed Four taking the win at Rutherford Head 2022. There is no doubt that Edinburgh will aim to put down a competitive performance on Saturday and put themselves on a strong footing ahead of WeHORR in March.
Newcastle University BC
Newcastle University kicked off 2022 in style, taking the win in the Women’s Coxless Four on their home water at the recent Rutherford Head, as well as coming in second place in the Women’s Eight behind a strong TSS crew. This result puts them in good stead going into Saturday’s time trial, especially as many of their top athletes were away competing at GB trials, also putting in some competitive performances. In addition, they will have the advantage of racing on their regular training stretch and will want to make sure they can defend their home turf, and gain the mental edge over their competitors for the remainder of the season.
Imperial College BC
Alike many other universities, Imperial College BC has seen exciting growth in their women’s squad year after year, and the strength in numbers is evidently translating into better results. Back in November, Imperial College won the Women’s Academic Coxless Four and came second in the Women’s Academic Coxed Four at Fours Head. The women from Imperial College will no doubt be hoping that their experience of training on the Tideway will have prepared them well for the adverse conditions that the Tyne may throw at them.
Durham University BC
Durham University are another club that is rapidly proving itself as a serious competitor, with two women’s eights qualifying for the Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta 2022. More recently, they came second in the Women’s Coxless Four at Rutherford Head and fourth in the eight. In addition to this, their pair of Natasha Morris and Sophie Chumas was one of the top-performing pairs at the GB February trials.
Prediction
Based on the most recent results, the frontrunner to take the Women’s Championship Eight is Newcastle University, following a strong performance at Rutherford. Behind them, there will likely be a close toss-up between Durham and Edinburgh for the other two podium spots. With COVID still spreading quickly, crews will be aware of how quickly a lineup may have to change, which could lead to all predictions being thrown into the air. With rough conditions expected, results will depend not just on raw power but technical ability too and will provide a good insight into what kind of placing can be expected at WeHORR less than a month away. Notably missing from this event are the University of London BC, choosing to race at Hammersmith Head instead, as well as Oxford Brookes University BC. This means that whoever comes out as the top Women’s Championship Eight on Saturday will still be left in the dark as to where they stand in comparison to the 2021 Island Challenge Cup finalists before WeHORR.
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