The top sculling event for lightweights on the first day of BUCS Regatta, the Men’s Championship Lightweight Single has attracted a decent entry with some exceptional talent on display. This event should serve up some high-quality competition amongst some well-established scullers on the lightweight scene.
Dale Flockhard
The standout name comes in the form of Dale Flockhart from Edinburgh University. He has been at the top end of the GB trials throughout this season in the single, culminating in a win at final trials last weekend. This not only puts him in a prime position to be in the senior lightweight double come the international racing season, but also as the standout name in this event as well.
Ben Parsonage & Andrew Laird
Strathclyde have two scullers in this event. Ben Parsonage is the defending champion in this event, and recently took third at final trials behind Dale and Jamie Copus. This was a superb result for him, and testament to the impression that Strathclyde are making on the lightweight events. He is joined in this event by Andrew Laird, another member of the sculling squad. After a breakout year at BUCS last year, Strathclyde took silver in the Men’s Lightweight Quad event at BUCS Head this season, so these scullers have the ability to challenge for the top spot here.
Hugh Moore & Ciaran Purdy
Queen’s University, Belfast also have two scullers entered for the event. They come in the form of Hugh Moore and Ciaran Purdy. These are two established scullers, having both been a part of the quad that took bronze in the Men’s Championship Quad at BUCS Head, before dominating the lightweight event in the afternoon. Again, both coming from a programme that have the ability to produce fast scullers year on year and these two are no exception to that rule.
Callum Prosser
Callum Prosser of Durham University is another name who is well known on the lightweight scene. He appears in all of Durham’s top crew boats and has proven his speed in the single with his performances at national trials in the past. Another advantage that he has will be the input of former GB lightweight Will Fletcher who is involved in the new Durham coaching structure. With few results to go off, it is hard to know exactly what Callum’s form in the single is, but he will definitely be a name to watch in this event.
Nicholas Ryan
Nicholas Ryan of Oxford University is someone who will be looking to be in and around the A final of this event. He was a part of the defeated Oxford Blue Boat in this year’s Lightweight Boat Race, so comes to this event with a point to prove. He has been involved in the GB trials process over the course of this year so has been spending plenty of time in the singlew hich will stand him in good stead for this event.
Alastair Holbrough
The final name to discuss is Alastair Holbrough of Reading University BC. Again, his form in the single is a relative unknown, but coming from Reading, he will no doubt be one of the best drilled scullers in this field. He also has the benefit of former GB lightweights Chris Bartley and Charlie Taylor in the Reading coaching set up which will be invaluable in his preparation for this event. I would fully expect to see him in the A final and from there, anything can happen, especially in the single.
Prediction
In terms of looking at a prediction for this event, despite the quality of the entry, I would have Dale Flockhart as the favourite to take the top spot in this event, adding to his trials victory. I would have Ben Parsonage as the runner up, with the final podium spot going to one of the scullers from Queen’s. Given the unpredictable nature of the single, and the depth of quality in this field though, I would be amazed if this is accurate.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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