Sculling, particularly when done in small boats, can often provide regatta spectators with some of the most exciting races. Of course, it is still up for debate as to which is the more attractive discipline – sculling or sweeping – but there is no doubt that the technical quality needed to achieve the highest accolades in an event such as the double sculls is exceptionally high. The athletes taking to the stage in this event will undoubtedly be showing us why they are no exception and I have high hopes that this category will give us some exciting racing, especially as some of the top sculling universities have entered crews.
Bath University Boat Club
As one of the only GB Start centres still standing (now rebranded as a GB Performance Development Academy), Bath certainly has an advantage when it comes to sculling performance. Having entered two doubles, it is likely that Bath will be looking to replicate some of the success from BUCS Head where they had the gold medal-winning intermediate quad. The female scullers of Bath have produced many excellent results over the last few years, from BUCS medals to a final in the aspirational quads category at Henley Women’s Regatta 2023. They will certainly be looking to build on that success this weekend.
Durham University Boat Club
Durham’s women’s squad have gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Many of the athletes who make their way down the course in the iconic palatinate have previous success from BUCS Head 2024 to wear alongside their distinctive all-in-ones, in both sweeping and sculling events. Durham’s championship women’s quad took home a bronze at BUCS Head and I am sure that this intermediate boat will be looking to channel that success into their own race. At BUCS Head, an intermediate quad managed to place sixth, but it remains to be seen if one of these four crews can improve on that result. If they have found some extra speed as a squad, I expect these crews will be up there with the best of them.
Reading University Boat Club
Also playing the numbers game with four crews entered is Reading and I have no doubt that they will be aiming to avenge their fourth place in the intermediate quad category at BUCS Head earlier this year. It makes sense for them to be stacking entries into an event such as the doubles as they have a number of talented athletes, as indicated by their results last year when their intermediate double secured a bronze at BUCS Regatta. From a third place last year, to the ever-frustrating fourth at BUCS Head this year in the quads, Reading need to find an extra something to clinch that gold medal.
Leeds University Boat Club
I am certainly excited to see London Rowing Club and Leeds University rower Laura Bates back on the university rowing circuit after her win in the aspirational lightweight single at Henley Women’s Regatta last year for Newark RC, as well as numerous successes as part of LRC. Leeds has two doubles entered and have clearly got excellent potential, but will they be able to pull away from repeat podium finishers?
Notable Mentions
Edinburgh University athlete Izzy Clements raced with Leeds sculler Laura Bates for Team Scotland at last year’s Home International Rowing Regatta (HIRR), and will be lining up in baby blue against her previous crew mate. Edinburgh have two crews entered and they will both be ones to watch. Queen’s University Belfast, who came fifth in this category last year and are increasingly becoming one of the top sculling programmes on the circuit, have also entered two boats. Current president Franny Curtis is leading her team mates out and I expect they will be hungry to break through the pack for a podium finish.
Prediction
I think it will likely be a tight battle for first place between Durham and Bath, with Reading close behind. In a field of over 60 crews, it is one of the largest categories we will see this weekend and therefore will create some of the toughest racing to get into a final. The range in programmes and entries set the scene for an upset, and the top crews will really have to fight for the right to call themselves gold medallists.
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