BUCS Head returns in all its glory to Newcastle this weekend. Fresh off a long winter of training university crews will have been targeting this event for months. After weeks of flooded rivers it will be interesting to see how crews fare, with those lucky enough to have recently returned from training camps abroad surely in a better position.
The Championship Lightweight Women’s Fours this year has only three entries, but should still feature some tight racing.
University of Surrey
Traditionally a strong lightweight club University of Surrey will surely be looking to return home victorious in this event. Their lightweight women had a superb season last year, winning silver at both BUCS head and BUCS regatta. Twins Sacha and Leonie Kennedy are two prominent individuals in this squad, wining silver together in the Lightweight Championship double alongside the sweep events. They look the form crew to beat and it could be a large margin.
University of Nottingham
Placing third in 2023, Nottingham will hope to go one better in 2024. Another strong lightweight programme, the crew placed 4th at BUCS regatta and third in the Lightweight pair. Experienced and well-rehearsed at going down the track at Newcastle this crew will want to make the most of the trip up north. With lightweight categories few and far between at other events, BUCS is one of the few opportunities it features. This crew will want to capitalise on this and reinforce themselves as a top lightweight programme.
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s make the trip to Newcastle having placed third in the Inter Women’s event in 2023. Little is known about this crew. Queen’s have had a number of lightweight rowers in recent years, performing strongly at BUCS regatta in the lightweight double and single. With more miles and experience under their belts this crew will aim to step up in the Championship event and not just be there to make up numbers.
Predictions
With all these crews guaranteed a podium place it would be great to see a tightly contested event. This being said with the strength of Surrey’s squad it is hard to look past them as gold medal favourites. I expect Nottingham to take second and Queen’s to place third.
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