Once again at BUCS Regatta the Men’s intermediate fours is absolutely jammed full of crews. The time trial is going to be absolutely critical for crews hunting to get into those A/B semi-finals in order to make it to the eventual A final. I expect this year to be again an absolute cracker in the A Final with some big-name university clubs possibly being challenged by some smaller clubs.
Imperial College London BC
It was Imperial ‘A’ which won at BUCS Head and so you would not put it past them to repeat that result. Imperial has always been a very fast programme and has been a regular sight in the A final of Intermediate Coxed Fours for the past few years. Whether they can convert their earlier form in head racing to wining at BUCS Regatta though will have to be seen.
University of Surrey BC
Surrey was narrowly beaten by Oxford Brookes in this event last year. Having come second behind Imperial at BUCS Head, Surrey will be eager to finally convert silver to gold. I would expect them at least to be back in the A final and fighting for the medals.
Oxford Brookes University BC
Oxford Brookes are defending champions in this event and with three crews entered they are certainly demonstrating purpose in retaining the title. At least one of these crews should have their eyes fixed on the overall win while all three crews will first be focused on making it through the time trial and into the A/B semis. As I have said in the past though Brookes has repeatedly shown that if there is any boat which they regularly fall short of the win in it is the coxed four.
Edinburgh University BC
With Edinburgh often struggling to get the wining results in championship events against the competition coming from Brookes, UL and Newcastle, they will certainly be wanting to produce the results here in the intermediate events. Edinburgh has entered four crews although I would expect only two of these will be fast enough realistically to make into the A/B semis against such as strong field. Edinburgh ‘A’ came third at BUCS Head and so will likely be aiming for at least A final.
Durham University BC
Durham has a long tradition of producing very fast coxed fours. Here they are another university with four crews entered. Like Edinburgh their fastest athletes will be in the championship events meaning that likely only one or two of these crews will likely be in the A/B semis.
Southampton University BC
All through the winter Southampton showed they had a strong men’s squad this year and that the event looked to be one they would target. A win in the coxed four at Bristol Head and third in Band 1 Coxed four at Henley Fours & Eights Head certainly showed they had some speed. As another university with four crews entered, they clearly have depth in their men’s squad. I expect their ‘A’ crew will be aiming to make the A/B semis against a very strong field. I should also note the Southampton is currently raising money to purchase a new Fillipi coxed four as they look to invest in remaining competitive in this event for the coming years.
Newcastle University BC
Newcastle will be aiming to win the Victor Ludorum this year having missed out on it last year to Brookes. Getting a strong result in this event would be important if they do want to the VL this year. Fourth at BUCS Head showed that they are competitive although with crews from Brookes and UL now entered whether they will be fighting for the medals will have to be seen.
University of Nottingham BC
Nottingham will be on home waters here but how significant an advantage that is I’m unsure. Eighth at BUCS Head though would indicate that they will be looking to break into those A/B semis.
Prediction
I am going to predict Brookes for the win but outside of that it really is impossible to tell. There is such a stacked field this year that there will for sure be some heart break. Getting through into the A/B semi will be key for many and so expect crews to be going 100% in the time trial. Notable surprise could come from clubs such as Aberdeen, Glasgow and Lancaster although I expect that the A final will see more of the usual suspects such as Edinburgh, Durham and Newcastle.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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