The championship events at BUCS are always an incredible display of elite level student rowing but this is especially prevalent in the coxless four where the smaller shell and the challenge of steering really tests some of the top bodies and minds. Over the years, this event has delivered much drama at BUCS – one need only glance at the 2021 vintage and Cambridge racing in lane 0 after almost being disqualified for their steering to see my point. We may not match that level of controversy in 2023, but what is certain is high-octane competition.
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes are not only defending title holders in this event but also clear favourites. Whilst many of their top athletes are ineligible to race at BUCS, there is no doubting the depth of talent within their program. With seven very competitive eights at Head of the River and their top student eight coming in seventh overall, Brookes will be looking to lay down a marker in this event. They have entered two fours and you would expect the faster of the two to be a clear favourite to win.
Newcastle University
Yesteryear is painted in blue and red; you don’t need to flick back through many chapters before you reach a period where the Newcastle program dominated the BUCS scene. 2022 was a tangible disappointment; a solitary win in the Championship Lightweight Coxless Four. This year, Newcastle look determined to get a result in this event with three crews entered. The numbers approaching the weekend paint a slightly different tale though, with a likely struggle at the summit with Brookes and Durham on the cards.
Durham University
Durham took home gold in this event at BUCS Head this year and will be entering this regatta with a lot of confidence knowing they have the pace to beat the likes of Newcastle and Edinburgh. The conspicuous absence of Brookes in February means that any victory needs to be contextualised and Durham will have a real challenge on their hands to run the gauntlet again. With a Championship Coxed Four entered in parallel, much may depend on if they have stacked this event.
Edinburgh University
Edinburgh’s main advantage coming into this weekend is that they have already had the chance to rehearse two-kilometre racing at the Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta. Although they did not face the same level of competition, they will have hopefully been able to extract some preparatory value and begin to build on a fourth-place at BUCS Head.
Bristol University
After a stellar showing in the intermediate events at last year’s event, Bristol have taken the step up to the big leagues. If this year’s crew is anything like as fast as their intermediate coxed four from last year, they should still be right in the mix to get a medal.
Nottingham University
On their home waters Nottingham are pitching high and hoping to ruffle some established feathers. While home advantage is negated somewhere on straight courses, entering into the Championship category does show where Nottingham University sees its future. Entering a crew here also gives Nottingham a chance to test how competitive they might be if they were to enter a Prince Albert Coxed Four at Henley Royal Regatta this year.
Imperial College
No stranger to producing fast fours, Imperial could be outsiders for a medal. A second-placed finish at BUCS Head is evidence enough that Imperial has the pace, although some illness and last-minute crew substitutions led to a more underwhelming result of 19th at Head of the River. They’ll be hoping that they will be able to put on a more representative display of their pace at BUCS and hunt down the Durham crew who beat them in February.
Prediction
I’m going to play it safe in predicting Oxford Brookes A to win ahead of Durham. The battle for third could be very close between the likes of Newcastle, Bristol, Imperial, and Brookes B. We could also see some interesting battles between Exeter, Nottingham and Newcastle in the repechages.
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