BUCs head traditionally lays down the marker for the coming season in university crews. Finishing off division one this Saturday is the ever exciting category; Women’s Lightweight Quads.
Surrey
Last year, Surrey took the gold medal, winning with a huge 21 second margin over Leeds as well as the silver medal at BUCs regatta 2023 in the lightweight quad. Additionally, two lightweight women’s singles made the intermediate A final at BUCS regatta and their championship lightweight double took home a silver the same weekend, showing how experienced the lightweight women’s sculling programme is at Surrey. Team Surrey athlete Leonie Kennedy made it to the semi-finals of the aspirational lightweight single category at Henley women’s regatta last year and with her bronze medal in the Women’s Lightweight category for BUCS indoors back in November she will likely be looking to add to her collection this weekend.
Queen’s University Belfast
Coming in third place at BUCS 2023, the ladies from Queen’s will hit the water with experience and determination. Last year their Lightweight women’s squad achieved a 4th in the championship single and double at BUCS regatta, so I have no doubt these brutal yet excellent previous results will motivate the crew onwards.
Nottingham
Having won the bronze medal in the Lightweight quad category at BUCs Regatta 2023, Nottingham will be one to watch. Having to deal with the less-than-delightful winds we all know too well at Holme Pierrepont, this crew should have the technical skill to deal with any issues faced on this unforgiving stretch of the tyne.
Birmingham
With a 4th place lightweight women’s single at BUCS regatta 2023, and a finalist for the Fiona Dennis Trophy for aspirational lightweight single, there is certainly something to be said regarding Birmingham’s lightweight women’s sculling programme.
Prediction
I reckon the strength of Surrey will sail them to yet another BUCS gold medal in this category. Although there is a good mix of experience amongst the other crews, I would not be surprised to see Queen’s take the silver over their competition. The bronze is most definitely open to fight over.
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