The Women’s Championship Coxless Four category will see some of the premier student athletes in the country competing for one of the most coveted BUCS titles. This event should serve as a good indicator of how the very top end of each squad is positioned coming out of head season, with eyes now looking towards Henley Women’s and Henley Royal regattas.
Cambridge University BC
Cambridge University took the win in this event last year, with a crew that included Olympian Imogen Grant. None of last year’s victorious crew are back in this category this year, although they are replaced by half of this year’s victorious women’s Blue Boat, which stands them in very good stead of topping the podium. With multiple BUCS titles at the Intermediate level between them last year, this Cambridge crew will be hoping to continue their strong performance record at BUCS in Championship categories this year.
University of London BC
University of London will be buoyed by some impressive results at the recent April GB Trials, which saw both their pairs make the B final. They appear to have been building well through head season. While their first eight lost to Cambridge in their Boat Race fixture earlier in the year, London got the upper hand and finished ahead of the Cambridge Blue Boat at Women’s Eights Head of the River Race (WEHoRR). Their top four athletes look particularly strong, especially with Emily Lindberg at Stroke. Having taken second place in this event last year, London will have aspirations to do one better this time around.
Edinburgh University BC
Edinburgh made the podium in this category last year, and their top coxless four came away with the win at this year’s BUCS Head to round out a successful head season. However, neither Cambridge nor University of London mentioned above were entered for BUCS head, so Edinburgh will need to pull their socks up – which I’m sure they will do – if they want to get onto the podium again.
Prediction
Based on results at GB Trials and WEHoRR, University of London and Cambridge look to have some of the highest quality at the top end of their women’s squad. With so little between them, the combinations that come together best as a four may well determine the outcome. Edinburgh may be looking to hold off the likes of Durham, Imperial College, and Newcastle for the final place on the podium – to name a few – but medals of all colours will be extremely highly contested here. I can’t wait to see the action unfold as crews leave it all on the water.
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