All of the UK’s university rowing programmes are set to descend on Nottingham once more next weekend as BUCS Regatta returns to the rowing calendar. For many boat clubs, this is the most important race of the year and is what all those hard miles in winter are for. BUCS is unique as it offers events at three levels of a ability, beginner, intermediate and championship.
Reading University BC
The Men’s Intermediate Quad category is always hotly contested, with a number of top universities fielding strong crews. Being a sculling programme, Reading University always do well in this event, and this year is no exception having won this category at BUCS Head earlier in the year. Reading also claimed a one-two finish in the Academic Quad category at Fours Head earlier in the year, getting two boats ahead of any other university. Reading clearly have a strong squad for this year and will be looking to use this depth to take home the win in this category.
Edinburgh University BC
With three crews entered in this event it’s impossible to not talk about Edinburgh University. They’re the leading programme in Scotland and are one of the eight British Rowing High Performance Centres. They finished joint 12th place at Head of the River last month, which put them third in the academic category. With this strong momentum it’ll be interesting to see what sort of results Edinburgh can produce at BUCS Regatta.
Newcastle University BC
Another university that will be one to watch is Newcastle University. Under the watch of the notorious head coach Angelo Savarino and a large squad size that has previously won the BUCS Regatta Victor Ludorum countless times, Newcastle certainly have the pedigree to do well in this event. They won the Men’s Championship Quad category at BUCS Regatta last year, and with lots of those athletes returning this year the quality is certainly there for a strong result next weekend.
Bath University BC
Bath University are another boat club that I could see doing very well. A World Class Start centre, run by coach Dan Harris, Bath have produced some impressive results in recent years. They reached the semi-final of the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta last year as well as having Angus Pollock producing a strong result at GB Rowing Senior & Under 23 Final Trials.
Prediction
I predict that Reading University will take the win the Men’s Intermediate Quad category at BUCS Regatta 2022, they will be followed by Edinburgh in second and then Newcastle in third. However, in such a competitive category it’s all to play for.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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