This weekend, BUCS Regatta will mark the start of major racing for the new season. As an inter-university competition, it offers the opportunity for students from all over the country to race against one another, and will be one of the biggest races on the calendar for many of these crews. With around 70 entries total, the Women’s Intermediate Double event has proved to be an incredibly popular category, and as such will probably also be very competitive.
Edinburgh University BC
The first crew we’re looking at in the preview is from Edinburgh, who came first and third in this event last year. In this crew, it looks as though Lily Young, who was in the club’s Island Challenge Cup first eight last year at HRR, will be competing alongside Izzy Clements, who raced in EUBC’s Aspirational Quad that won the Chairman’s Trophy at last year’s HWR. This double will no doubt be looking to retain Edinburgh’s title in this event this weekend, and as such will make for some tough competition.
Cambridge University BC
Competing together in this double from Cambridge we have Gemma King and Rosa Millard, who this year raced in Blondie and the Women’s Blue Boat respectively. Undoubtedly still riding the high of their victory at The Boat Race, they will be coming into this race with a lot of confidence, and certainly be a crew to watch this weekend.
Durham University BC
At the most recent stage of GB trials, Durham had some very impressive results, with their women’s pair finishing the day as the fastest U23 pair of the day, indicating the club’s strength in small boats. Flo Snelling, one half of this double, has been racing with the very successful Durham first eight this year, and, along with Meredith Oakes, will be looking to replicate that success this weekend.
Reading University BC
This year, Reading have proven their strength in small boats. Kicking off with Pairs Head, where they came second in both the Women’s Championship Doubles event and the lightweight doubles, they then went on to further demonstrate their sculling skill at BUCS Head, placing second in the Women’s Championship Quads. After placing second in this event last year, the crew from Reading will be coming into this weekend with their eyes on gold.
Prediction
With such a large number of crews entering into this event, there is every chance that we could see a stand-out performance from one of the clubs not mentioned above. However, if pressed, I would expect to see Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Durham fighting it out for the top spot, with Cambridge taking the win in the end.
BUCS Images credit: Drew Smith
Drew Smith Photography
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