The dawn of the regatta season can only be sworn in by one event: the pinnacle of student rowing that is BUCS regatta. Fresh from Easter training camps, rowers of all abilities will summit in Nottingham for a weekend of competitive racing on behalf of their universities. Boasting 35 total entries at BUCS Head earlier this year, the Women’s Intermediate Quads showcases upcoming talent year after a year and the 2023 event will prove no exception.
Birmingham University Boat Club
Birmingham have gone from strength to strength over recent years and asserted themselves as a force in women’s sculling. Winning this category at BUCS Head by an impressive 12 seconds, the victorious crew was led by Katie Mole, competitor at the prestigious Wingfield Sculls and 8th place scorer at GB senior trials. Given the recent success of the Severn based crew, Im excited to see what result they will produce in Nottingham
Newcastle University Boat Club
With two boats placing in the top 10 of BUCS Head and a 14th and 23rd place finish at WEHORR, Newcastle have proved aptitude over a longer a course and should not be taken lightly over 2000m . Not to mention, with 3 female athletes, Bradley, Thompson and Youd, placing in top 10 positions at GB Under 23 trials earlier this month, Blue star will be hard to ignore in intermediate categories across the board.
Reading University Boat Club
It is almost impossible to discuss women’s university sculling without mentioning Reading University Boat Club, who have dominated the field in the past, featuring two entrances this year they are in a strong position to strengthen their reputation in women’s rowing. Winning the Women’s Academic Quad category at Fours head, as well as placing second to Leander at their home Reading University Head of the River, I place them as favourites going into the regatta, notably following a second place finish last year.
Other Mentions
I suggest Edinburgh and Bath will produce fast crews, significantly following the former’s performance at WeHORR, where the Scottish boat club secured an impressive 1-2 in the Beginner Academic category, whilst scoring the second highest climb of the day: 224 places.
It is key to note the above, placing in the top five positions of BUCS Head 2022, are also the top five placers from BUCS Regatta 2022, albeit in a different order with Edinburgh clinching the top spot. Considering this, It will be exciting to if any other club can threaten the monopoly held over this category in recent years. I suggest clubs such as Bristol, Queen’s Belfast (who were victorious in 2021) and Aberdeen will have the strongest chance of unsettling the status quo.
Predictions:
Any surprise challenge I believe will come from Edinburgh University Boat Club, but they will have to work hard to overcome Reading, Newcastle and Birmingham crews, which I see taking the top podium positions.
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