With the first water-based BUCS event of the 2024/25 season just days away, the chains have been pulled, the weights dropped, and the strokes refined; not much else can be done now. This year’s Open Championship Coxless Four event will feature six crews, each arriving with the ambition of leaving with a medal around their necks and valuable Victor Ludorum points in the bag.
University of Surrey Boat Club
The University of Surrey Boat Club, silver medallists in this event last year, returns to the Tyne with winning in mind. Head coach Toby Rudkin will now be settled into life in the south of England, having had ample time to imprint his coaching style on an already successful programme. Recently returned from a training camp in Seville, this crew will have logged a solid amount of mileage. They will feel confident putting their best foot forward this weekend, determined to replace last year’s silver with gold.
University of Nottingham Boat Club
The University of Nottingham Boat Club failed to break onto the podium last year, so will return to the Tyne with something to prove. Ade Roberts has been with the Green and Golds for just over two years, and with the club’s performance steadily improving in that time, they are set on making an impact. With a Gold and a Silver medal from three lightweight A finals at last year’s BUCS Regatta, this crew will be eager to start their hunt for scalps far earlier than they did last year.
Imperial College London Boat Club
Another year has passed since the 2021 Temple final, and it seems we’re still waiting for the Imperial College Boat Club men to come back swinging. They took the bronze medal in this event last year, but with no lightweight events entered at last season’s BUCS Regatta, this could be a fresh crew of new faces looking to make their mark. The club appears to be in good health this year, having boated seven eights at the Quintin Head a few weeks ago. I look forward to seeing what this pedigree lightweight club can show us on the Tyne.
Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club
Two crews will make the ferry journey across the North Channel to take their place on this year’s start line, which signals that Queen’s University Belfast means business. There is depth to this programme that some of their competitors lack. The men’s lightweight squad left Nottingham last year with a Gold in the Lightweight Intermediate single and a Bronze in the Lightweight Championship double. Now that reinforcements have arrived, they will be looking to secure at least one spot on this weekend’s podium.
University of Bath Boat Club
It looks like a solid start to the season for the yellow and blues of Bath University Boat Club, with strong performances at both the Bristol and Wycliffe Heads. This reliable intermediate programme hopes to continue its early-season progress with another strong showing this weekend. While a place on the podium may seem unlikely, you never know what might happen on the tidal twists and turns of the Tyne. They will arrive well-prepared and ready for action.
Predictions
I believe the University of Surrey Boat Club will go the distance this year and come away with the gold, followed by one of Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club crews, with Nottingham University Boat Club taking the final spot on the podium.
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