BUCS Regatta is back. Serving as the pinnacle event in the university rowing calendar for many institutions across the country, there is perhaps no boat class with more entries across the board than the eights. This year, the offering to the Women’s Intermediate Eight category will undoubtedly include a plethora of university rowing programmes old and new, as crews seek to mark their transition from beginner level with a two-kilometre sprint for some silverware.
Durham University BC
Having stormed down the Tyne in this same category at BUCS Head in February with a dominant performance twenty seconds ahead of the rest of the pack, Durham University’s Women’s Intermediate Eight has certainly done all the right things in terms of preparation ahead of this BUCS Regatta and the rest of the summer season. Testament to a first-class coaching programme to allow for a seamless development between beginner and championship levels, Durham’s women’s intermediate contingent this season has shown itself as a force to be reckoned with. Will they be able to continue their upward trajectory with a gold medal here? I can’t wait to find out.
Newcastle University BC
Second to Durham at BUCS Head, the intermediate women of Newcastle University will undoubtedly be hungry to hunt down and conquer their local rivals in the eight this time around. Perhaps a sprint distance will work to the advantage of the punchy and high-rate race strategy synonymous with Newcastle’s Blue Stars. With performances at Henley Women’s and Henley Royal Regattas likely to be on the cards, Newcastle will be keen to conclude their BUCS campaign with a medal here. What colour that will be remains a mystery for now.
Oxford Brookes University BC
Ever a powerhouse institution and no stranger to podium finishes at BUCS Regatta, Oxford Brookes University will certainly be favourites once again if they provide an entry or two to the fold of Women’s Intermediate Eights. While their women are usually found sweeping up the competition in the championship eights, if anyone is going to give Durham or Newcastle a tight race to the line here, it will likely be a Brookes ‘C’ or ‘D’ boat entered here.
Prediction
While I have focused on a triad of standout performers on the intermediate stage this season, I’m sure we will also see the likes of Liverpool, Warwick, York, Edinburgh, UL, Cambridge, and many others fighting for one of the six spots in the A final here. Based on the performance of their intermediate programme all season long, I could envisage Durham taking the gold on the day, with Newcastle and Brookes hot on their heels in silver and bronze. However, it remains yet to be seen whether Durham will be able to uphold their long-distance dominance and transfer that to a regatta sprint, and there is always a chance for the underdogs to knock the traditional favourites off the top spot. It will certainly be a hard fought contest.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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