Kicking off the 2024 summer season, BUCS is an important fixture in the yearly rowing calendar that for most people will mark their first regatta practise of this year. The intermediate coxed four will come on the Sunday of the three-day weekend and follow from the eights racing on the previous day. This could set us up for some interesting narratives come the A-final on Sunday afternoon.
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club
It is very difficult to speak about any university rowing without mentioning the burgundy powerhouse from Wallingford. With three crews entered into this category, they seem to have their eyes set on going one better than last year and locking out all three top spots. While this will be tough to do, their fastest crew, which looks to be entered as their third four, are sure to be a favourite to take home the win. With 2022 Prince Albert winner Blaise Ivers-Dreux in the stroke seat and backed up by 2023 Temple winner Max Mills and bow pair Finn Mosedale and Fred Tyler completing the line-up, cox Jayden Thompson should guide these four athletes to the win.
Newcastle University Boat Club
The blue star will be hoping that a more positive winter than previous years – with a fourth in category at the Head of the River – can be transferred into some regatta speed. Their pitched crew of Elin Thomas (cox), Daniel Jones, Dylan Howard, Jack Gilligan, and Lucas Bowes come mostly from the Temple A cohort last year and we should be expecting them to use their knowledge from this racing to be tussling in the A final.
University of London Boat Club
The only boat club in this event last year to get ahead of a Brookes crew, they will be hoping to repeat this success and maybe even climb up through the rankings. They are fielding a very experienced outfit for this year’s edition, featuring Ella Connors (Cox), Edward Dallas, Jacob Ioras, Kareem Garlick and Matthew Creaser. Presuming this is the line up for the day, the experienced stern pair from last year’s first eight in Ed Dallas and 2022 Fawley winner Jacob Ioras should be feeling confident going into this weekend.
Predictions
The important bit. I find it impossible to look past Brookes to retain the title for this year. They should be followed by a close battle between the UL crew and second Brookes boat to round out the medals. Anything can happen on race day – and in the substitutions column – so I wouldn’t rule out a Newcastle challenge or an outsider to make a surprise run.
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