While many may flock to the two-kilometre stretch at Holme Pierrepoint to represent their institutions in fours and eights, the pairs are certainly worth our attention too. The Women’s Intermediate Pairs category never fails to attract a highly competitive pool of athletes, and some of these women may even duplicate or triplicate their sweep talents by racing in larger sweep boats throughout the weekend. On the basis of prior performances this season, there are a few favourites for the win, but small boat events are known for being far less predictable, so I am sure there will be no shortage of surprises on the day.
Imperial College London BC
At this stage in the 2021/22 season, the women’s sweep programme at Imperial College London requires no introduction. This season alone, the Imperial women have already achieved a Fours Head pennant in the Academic Fours last November, and top-five finishes across the board in the Championship Coxed Fours, Championship Coxless Fours, and Intermediate Coxed Fours at BUCS Head in February. I am intrigued to see if the same intermediate athletes at BUCS Head divide and conquer in pairs at this upcoming Regatta. More widely, Imperial seem to have struck gold with the calibre of beginner and intermediate athletes in attendance this year, particularly in the women’s squad. This, combined with their high-growth coaching programme, will undoubtedly stand any Imperial women’s pair in good stead of a podium finish.
University of London BC
While their collegiate rivals may be hungry for the win, I envisage that a pair from the University of London will be right up alongside Imperial in an exhilarating final race to the line. Having taken second place in the Women’s Intermediate Eights at WEHoRR this year as well as some standout performances at local fixtures, this pairs category will likely be an exciting opportunity for some of the UL intermediate women to showcase their technical prowess and force in smaller boats.
Newcastle University BC
With two entries in this event and a history of good results in the intermediate events you can count on Newcastle being among the front runners in this event. Indeed, last year they placed third behind Oxford and Imperial and will aim to match or better that this year despite the lineups being new.
Cambridge University BC
Hot off a double win in the Boat Race for the Blue Boat and Blondie, Cambridge are coming in force to BUCS this year and have entered six crews in this event while the top Oxford athletes seem to be staying at home. One name that stands out is Alex Riddell-Webster, who was part of Blondie this season and last year finished fourth in the Women’s Intermediate Pair last year.
Prediction
The crews outlined above represent only a fragment of what will likely be a highly competitive and popular category in terms of nationwide entries. The gold really is anyone’s for the taking, and I imagine we will also see sterling efforts from crews hailing from St Andrews, Aberdeen, Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh universities – among many others – to achieve it. That said, I foresee a podium awash with navy, royal blue, and purple, as Cambridge, UL, and Imperial claim the medals, though in what order remains all to play for.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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