Women’s Championship Quads will be racing on the first day of BUCs, the Saturday. First they will complete a 1500 metre time trial, before being put into lanes for a final. As only 6 crews are entered into this category they will all progress into the A final. This year we see intense competition from very well known universities in sculling.
Cambridge University Boat Club
A Championship crew entry from Cambridge implies athletes of Boat Race-winning calibre. Indeed, with a Canadian favour in Claire Billion, who raced for the national team at the 2022 World Championships and quad specialist and Henley Royal finalist Freya Keto, this crew are off to a strong start. Isabelle Bastian of the 2021 Harvard Varsity Crew and two-time Boat Race winner Rosa Millard will join them, creating a crew that looks indomitable; they are likely favourites for the gold.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle won the gold at this BUCS Head on the Tyne. If this is the same crew then they will be aiming to keep hold of this gold for this years regatta, granted they might have the knowledge of the Tyne on their side for the head race, but there were also some big names in this crew such as Rachel Bradley having recently come forth in the U23 Women’s Single at April Trials.
Reading University Boat Club
Coming second at BUCS Head, Reading will be going out with the aim to close the gap on Newcastle and steal the gold medal position. With a stronger squad than previous years, it’ll be sure to be a more formidable crew, with such names as Lauren Maddison.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Having won this category last year, Edinburgh will be looking to take the gold again. However some of the personnel will have changed. At BUCS Head for this season, their women’s championship quad came fourth overall, where Hannah Supple was in the middle of the boat; she has recently returned from an impressive stint at April trials, further strengthening the likely calibre of this crew.
Durham University Boat Club
Durham will be going in strong with this competition, they came fifth at BUCS head and will be aiming to take home a medal this weekend. They have been progressively getting quicker over this season, and will be aiming to peak in time for BUCS.
University of Nottingham Boat Club
Having come in sixth at BUCs Head, Nottingham will be aiming to use their knowledge of the home water to take a medal spot. With their training camps and use of both the Trent and the lake where BUCS is held, they are in a strong position being used to the winds and feel of the water.
Prediction
Given that many crews might not be the same personnel, but also that 100% substitutes can be made at BUCs regatta, it is hard to be certain of the outcome. But the prediction is that Cambridge will swoop in to take take the win, with Reading and Newcastle battling for podium positions.
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