BUCS Regatta is back and ready to host some of the best university crews in the game all over again. When it comes to predicting the victors, championship categories are perhaps the toughest to call, and the Women’s Championship Coxed Four category is no exception. With five highly proficient boats entered, based on entries from previous iterations of the Regatta and crews’ performances so far this season, I will briefly outline the triumvirate of crews that may be slightly more favoured for a podium finish, though the medals really are anyone’s for the taking.
Cambridge University BC
Having earned the Victor Ludorum at BUCS Regatta 2022, including a gold medal in this very event, the women of Cambridge will undoubtedly be hoping to repeat their success. Last year’s combination featured current President and back-to-back Women’s Boat Race winner, Caoimhe Dempsey, who may well appear again in this year’s crew, perhaps alongside other Boat Race victors. After Cambridge’s clean sweep at the Boat Race, I’m inclined to say that this coxed four will comprise half of their Blue Boat, and they will be the favourites to win.
Durham University BC
For a boat club that is likely to have athletes doubling or tripling up across events, we look no further than Durham University. Having stormed down the Tyne to take the win one minute ahead of their competition in this event at BUCS Head, and being pipped into silver-medal position by less than one second at last year’s Regatta, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Durham on the podium alongside Cambridge once again. With U23 GB Trials first-place finisher Evelyna Davis at stroke, will Durham be able to turn the tables and top the podium this year? I can’t wait to find out.
University of London BC
Ever a consistently high-performing women’s contingent is that of University of London. Given that they narrowly missed out on a podium finish by 0.8 seconds in an excruciatingly close four-boat A final last year, London will likely be chasing a redemption story this year. Watch this space.
Prediction
While the historically strong performers mentioned above are back on the scene in this category, we also have entries from Imperial College London and Newcastle University, who will undoubtedly seek to disrupt tradition and snatch a spot on the podium.
One thing is certain: all crews will give it everything in their bid for a medal. Based on the performance of their women’s sweep programmes year in year out, I could see a close race between Cambridge and Durham for gold. That being said, a medal at BUCS Regatta is a hard-earned feat and, like last year, we may well see victory by the tightest of margins.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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