While this event is certainly the second tier event to the Championship category, it is arguably more exciting as a competitor, with guaranteed close racing for all those who take part. Whether a crew qualifies for the A final or the D final, everyone is guaranteed to have some intense side-by-side racing in this event. For this reason, many universities are opting to enter their top boat in Intermediate Eights, rather than enter Championship and get sorely beaten by the front runners.
Oxford Brookes
At the front of the field, however, it’s a familiar story. In 2019 Oxford Brookes took gold and silver in Men’s Intermediate Eights, an amazing feat given that these were in essence their fourth and fifth crews (the top boat being ineligible and the second and third in Championship). With their strong results at Met and Marlow, Oxford Brookes are the favourites to win this event again, with their Intermediate B crew being in the mix for the silver.
UL & Imperial
There will be a pack of crews looking to challenge Brookes in the A final and maybe even win a medal. University of London and Imperial College have their second eights in this event and these crews will be aiming high. Other than Brookes the UL crew performed best at Met Regatta indicating that they could be the foremost in this chasing pack.
Edinburgh
We haven’t seen much from the Scots this season but Edinburgh’s second eight is racing and they showed some promising speed by finishing second in the B final of Tier 2 Eights at Marlow, ahead of all other entrants in this category (other than Brookes of course).
Exeter
Exeter not far behind UL at Met and behind Edinburgh at Marlow, and will surely look to close this gap to the front of the field come this week’s BUCS.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s top boat in Intermediate will be out for blood, and although by Marlow ranking they’re a little way down you can never count out the Blue Star.
Nottingham, Durham & Surrey
Other notable entrants include Nottingham, typically a strong club who we haven’t seen much from this year, Surrey and Durham. However, this event never fails to impress and after such a long period out of racing we could see some relatively unknown crews perform out of their skins.
Bets for the results? Brookes to win gold and silver, Edinburgh to claim bronze. Extending this to the other crews in the A final, Exeter, UL, and Newcastle to make it in but not quite be in the race for medals.
However, this event never fails to impress and after such a long period out of racing we could see some relatively unknown crews perform out of their skins.As is the way with Intermediate Eights, it’s not necessarily the winners who are the highlights of the event. The beauty of the Intermediate events is that everyone gets a race and you can count on some neck and neck races all the way down the C and D finals.
About The Author
