This weekend we see universities from across the country coming together for the first official BUCs event of the 2022/23 season. This head race is strictly for fours and eights only and will take place over five kilometers on the Tyne. For the Championship Women’s Eights we see five entries from five strong university rowing programmes, all with respectable race finishes this year.
First off we have the University of Edinburgh (Catriona Taylor), who recently won Rutherford Head. To achieve this, they beat Durham University by a strong 15 seconds, on the same course on which BUCS head will be raced.
Next to go will be Newcastle University (Holly Youd), who came in fourth at Rutherford Head behind Edinburgh and Durham. Newcastle are an incredibly strong programme and currently have girls trialing for the Great Britain team to tally with a pattern of prominent representation over the past decade. All eyes are on the Blue Star to see if they can maintain standards after some of their brightest prospects flew the nest.
Durham University (Philippa Emery) also have strong claim to this title. They came second at Rutherford Head behind Edinburgh. However, unlike Edinburgh University, these ladies and cox alike will have a strong knowledge of the course and its tidal tendencies.
Coming fifth out of ten at Quintin Head 2023 were Imperial College London (Elizabeth Witt). This is their first boat and will be sure to bring strong competition to the table. They landed around 30 seconds behind Leander in January so will they be able to transfer this speed to a different stretch of water?
Last but certainly not least will be the University of Nottingham (Charlotte Sanders). Having raced at Wallingford Head in late 2022, these girls will be well used to keeping up the pace over a long distance, and will be able to bring that to the table this coming weekend.
Prediction
For this weekend, I predict that it’ll be a close race between Edinburgh, Newcastle and Durham for the top spots. I think Imperial College London, will be a strong contender as a surprise crew and will be more than able to have a say in who gets which medals. All very strong crews and very tough competition but no doubt will they all try their hardest. Best of luck ladies!
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