Intermediate eights events at BUCS are always exciting affairs, with one of the largest entry lists. Bigger rowing universities use this category to demonstrate their strength in depth, with A, B and even C crews entered; whilst smaller universities target it as a potential medal winner. The Women’s Inter 8+ looks to be no different this weekend. 34 crews are entered, an increase on last year.
Newcastle
Newcastle have entered two eights into this event. In 2022 they placed 2nd but have lost a number of this athletes. Their inter crew placed 10th at Rutherford Head in December, behind both Durham and Edinburgh’s inter crews. On home water they are likely to still produce a top 3 performance, but are unlikely to be medal contenders this year.
Durham
Durham’s second eight go off first in the Inter eights start order, having won the event last year by an impressive twenty seconds. Their inter boat placed 7th at Rutherford Head, some way behind Edinburgh. They have lost some of their strength in depth this year, but still should not be underestimated given their history in this event.
Bristol
Bristol are gradually building a successful women’s programme under their Women’s Head Coach Holly Stead. At Quintin Head in January they were the 9th fastest women’s crew, beating multiple clubs with more experience on the Tideway. They chose not to attend BUCS Head in 2022 so it will be interesting to see if they can get in the mix of traditional Inter crews this year, and potentially medal.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh are off 12th in the start order, a position they will look to spring a surprise from. Their crew has already produced impressive results at Rutherford and Tyne Head, beating many A crews. It’s likely they will catch some of the crews ahead of them, which will only spur them on to go faster.
Warwick
Warwick placed just behind Bristol at Quintin Head, with less than a second in it. Another programme that looks to be building, they placed 6th in 2022 and will aim to improve on this. They will rely on their experience of having raced BUCS Head before to go one better than Bristol this time, and possibly beat bigger clubs such as Durham.
Bath
Bath go off third in the start order which will be a good confidence boost as they look to return to the form that gained them success in the Inter events a few years ago. They placed 5th in the Women’s Inter category at Quintin Head and will hope to improve on this this weekend. It will be impressive if they can improve on their 5th place finish in 2022.
Predictions
It is hard to see past Edinburgh taking the win in this event. Behind them it will be more competitive, with Newcastle getting second and a fierce battle between Warwick and Bristol for third. The latter will return triumphant.
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