This weekend, Nottingham’s renowned 2000m stretch of water, the National Watersports Centre, will play host to men’s and women’s crews alike vying for glory on the most notable of stages in UK university rowing. Ever a tough category to predict, the Women’s Intermediate Pair will undoubtedly contain some impressive technical displays from athletes rising through the ranks of women’s sweep. Based on performances so far this season, and standout category entrants from previous years, the predictions made below represent a hypothetical snapshot in what will likely be a highly contested tussle for a podium finish. Crews are ordered alphabetically.
Cambridge University
Cambridge has an impressive total of six boats entered into this category this year. In fact, last year’s A final in this very event was awash with light blue, with Cambridge pairs taking gold, fourth, fifth, and sixth place respectively. As is well known from their clean sweep of victories at this year’s Boat Races, the Cambridge women’s sweep programme really needs no introduction. With this in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised to see multiple Cambridge boats in this year’s A final, perhaps even more than one earning their place on the podium.
Durham University
With the standout women’s pair of Evelyna Davis and Pippa Emery in their squad, who came away from the third round of GB trials earlier this month as the fastest U23 pair of the day, Durham’s women are no strangers to success in the pair. However, Davis and Emery have opted for a championship entry this year, leaving the two pairs hailing from Durham in this intermediate category with the responsibility to deliver. I will be very intrigued to see if either one can repeat or improve upon the club’s bronze medal finish in this event last year. Either way, I’d be surprised not to see at least one of the two Durham crews make it into the A final.
Newcastle University
The infamous blue star blades will be out in full force in the women’s intermediate pairs this year, with Newcastle boasting an impressive five entries on the draw. Their women’s sweep programme certainly has no shortage of depth: Newcastle fielded an impressive five eights at Women’s Eights Head of the River Race this year, with their top boat finishing 14th. Ever a successful club at BUCS Regatta, much like the above-mentioned Cambridge, I could foresee at least one Newcastle crew on the podium, and perhaps more in the A final overall.
University of Nottingham
With a performance that earned last year’s Nottingham pair a silver medal in this category, I’m not surprised to see a new pairing on this year’s lineup, looking to repeat their predecessors’ success. With the ‘Holme’ advantage, Nottingham are poised for a good weekend across the board, and are continuing to disrupt the traditional podium finishers at events nationwide. This pair are certainly in with a shot of continuing this trajectory for the club at the weekend.
Prediction
The intermediate categories are often a lot more open ended and, as such, tougher to call when it comes to predicting the victors. The technical prowess needed in the pair also means that the finest of margins can make all the difference. If entries are provided, I could envisage at least one crew from Cambridge University on the podium, perhaps even in pole position. That said, the multiple crews from the likes of Durham, Oxford, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Surrey universities will also take to the water with victory on their minds in this category, too, and their top pairs would probably pose the biggest threat to the likes of Durham on the day.
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