Perhaps one of my favourite events to watch at BUCS has to be Men’s Beginner Eights. By this stage of the year much of the technique is sorted and particularly in the A final you often see crews that could even be competitive as intermediates which is just a great achievement having been rowing for only a year. Unlike the champ events, unpredictability reigns supreme in this category and for many competing this may be the first major regatta they’ve entered. There is a profound sense of accomplishment for all crews in this category and the winners will carry these memories with them forever.
Liverpool University BC
Liverpool have consistently shown this year that they’re to be taken seriously when discussing potential victors in this category. A second-placed finish at BUCS Head alongside a win at the Head of the River just shows that this is a very fast beginner crew. They have demonstrated their pace in head racing but now they will have to keep their heads in a multi-lane format and the competition will be fierce.
Durham University BC
Durham are probably Liverpool’s closest challengers. Having won at BUCS Head, they slipped behind Liverpool to come second at the Head of the River. Momentum shifts are far more tangible at beginner level though and a lot can be recovered in a relatively short space of time so Durham definitely will have their eyes set on taking the win.
Imperial College London BC
Imperial have consistently produced fast beginner men’s crews and this year is no different. Fourth at BUCS Head followed by third at Head of the River certainly puts Imperial in with a shout of emerging victorious here. It would be fair to say that a medal is certainly on their wish-list.
University of York BC
York came fifth at BUCS Head earlier this season and then finished fourth at Head of the River. York hav always been a great club for beginners and that legacy in producing fast novice boats should serve them well.
University of East Anglia BC
UEA is another club who I expect will be aiming to make it into the A final and a possible tilt at the medals. Sixth at BUCS Head was followed by fifth at Head of the River, which puts UEA in a very good position to make it into the A final. Whether they will have the pace to challenge the likes of Liverpool and Durham remains to be seen.
University of Nottingham BC
Nottingham have one advantage over many of the other crews and that is the fact that they’re on home water. This could make all the differences in these beginner events where nerves and the extra pressure of eight lane racing can lead to mistakes. Nottingham have shown some pace this year coming in ninth at BUCS Head and then sixth at Head of the River.
Prediction
It’s pretty hard to look past the talents of Liverpool and Durham, who have been engaged in a game of tag throughout the winter racing season. There is little contention around the fact that a BUCS Regatta title would represent the sweetest of victories and as such, we’re plumping for Liverpool to take the win ahead of Durham in silver and Imperial in bronze.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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