So, we’re back again for another instalment of BUCS regatta down at Nottingham’s National Water Sports Centre. This year we have a whopping 49 entries into the women’s intermediate quads category, which are being seeded into finals after the all-stakes 1500m time trial. What BUCS does allow coaches and crews to do is a 100% substitution of the crew up until the boating for the time trial, meaning any crew can change at anytime.
University of Bath
After winning this event last year, Bath will be keen to hold on to that success. To add to this legacy, they finished in the gold medal position at BUCS Head earlier this year against a similar set of crews. However, with their BUCS head quad moving up into championship, it will be up to the next four girls in the rankings to try and retain the top spot.
Newcastle University
With two of their boats making the A-final last year, finishing second and fifth, Newcastle have three crews entered this year with hopes high amongst the squad. Newcastle have an amazingly high-achieving group, with many current athletes having recently been to Caversham to race in April Trials. With those successes, this crew formation may be altered to accommodate that.
University of Birmingham
From just over the proverbial road, Birmingham have two quads entered this year. Last year at BUCS, the ladies managed a bronze in this category and will be keen to maintain that form. They also managed to secure a bronze at BUCS head just a few months ago. Erin Meredith was part of this crew and is also the current women’s squad captain.
Durham University
Having nabbed fourth place in last year’s A final, these girls will be aiming to improve on that. With two quads entered this year, the depth of the squad is evident as they aim to get both into the A-final. They recently won the women’s quad event at Tyne Head of the River 2024, against crews they may well be facing at BUCS Regatta, including the University of Edinburgh.
University of Reading
As a boat club that exclusively sculls, Reading have two boats racing this category. Having managed to get a quad into the A-final last year, the aim will be to medal within the category in 2024. At BUCS Head, one of the crews placed in fourth position and will be wanting to take a step up onto the podium this weekend. The line up for the fourth-placed crew was Leah Atkinson, Flora Robertson, Anna Turner, Emma Quaglieri and, presuming this remains the same, these ladies have a fair chance at a medal.
Queen’s University Belfast
Hopping across the Irish sea, QUB have two crews entered. After a stellar performance at BUCS Head, taking home an impressive silver medal, these girls will want to hold on to that position. Having won numerous categories back in Ireland at Lagan Autumn Head 2023, it is clear to see these ladies enjoy racing and enjoy winning. Alannah Donohoe of the BUCS Head crew, saw representation for Ireland in the summer of 2022 in Spain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, placing sixth overall.
Prediction
Given such exciting results over the past year, I would say we’re in for some tight finishes. I think it will be a hard-fought battle between Bath and Queens for gold plus Birmingham and Reading for silver and bronze places.
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