Fours Head 2021 – Women’s Championship Coxless Four Preview

With seven crews entered into the Women’s Championship Coxless Four, this year’s event promises to be a close one, with high quality rowing expected from all the entrants. Scanning over the entries, it’s impossible not to be excited by the crew lists. With several crews harbouring extremely experienced rowers that have represented their country, it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top. 

Leander

Leander’s crew is just one of the crews that promises an adrenaline pumping race. Imogen Powell, stroking the four has proven to be off to a flying start this year, having been part of the crew that won the Women’s Championship Coxed Four earlier this year at BUCS. Moreover, the addition of Megan Slabbert to Leander’s boat only increases the excitement around this boat as she joins with the experience of rowing at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, as part of the Women’s Eight. 

Leander’s other boat in this category is also a serious contender for the win. Hope Cessford stroking immediately establishes the high standard for the crew, having been selected for u23 World Rowing Championships 2021. Alongside Cessford is Jo Wratten. Part of the Women’s Eight that won silver and bronze at the World Regattas in Poznan and Lucerne, Jo’s experience can only add speed to this crew. Sam Redgrave also promises excitement, having been selected for the GB development boat for HRR and World Cup III before having to pull out due to injury.  It’s fantastic to see her racing once again and  in such a promising crew.

Cambridge University 

Cambridge University’s crew must be one of the ranked crews on the Tideway this weekend based on experience. Imogen Grant is fresh from Tokyo, having narrowly missed out on medalling in the Lightweight Women’s Double in the Olympics. Joining Grant is the new Cambridge recruit Grace Prendergast. Prendergast won Olympic gold in the Pair and silver in the Eight at Tokyo this year with New Zealand, proving that she will be a fierce competitor on the course. Alongside Prendergast is fellow Kiwi Ruby Tew. Much like her fellow crewmates, Tew is no stranger to high-pressure races, having rowed at both Rio and Tokyo in the Women’s Eight and Quad, respectively.

Prediction

Alongside these crews, there are also boats from OUWBC, Oxford Brookes and Molesey entered into this category. I’m incredibly excited to see the performance of all of the clubs, with an emphasis on Cambridge’s crew featuring Grant, as I hope to see their experience translated into a fast time.

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Aoife Parr

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