We’re back on the Tideway this weekend, where a strong cohort of seven university crews will be racing in the Women’s Academic Coxless Fours event at Fours Head. On this long, challenging, and renowned stretch, one member of each of these coxless crews will have to be working overtime to ensure they keep a good line as they race down a course where steering is everything. Given the nature of university rowing programmes, wherein there is a large turnover of athletes each year, it will also be interesting to see how the new squads perform at this early point in the season.
University of London BC
Coming from a historically high-performing programme, this crew from ULBC will undoubtedly be using their familiarity with their homestretch to its full advantage. Although the entry could change, the crew looks to be an experienced one so far, with both Georgie Banton and Tilly Ollerenshaw competing in the Island Challenge Cup ‘B’ boat at HRR this summer. Setting off at the start of the event, they are certainly a crew to keep an eye on this weekend.
Cambridge University BC
Coming off the back of winning the women’s events at The Boat Race, these two entries from CUBC will probably have a high level of confidence in the run-up to this race. As they set off near the beginning of the event, the crews from Cambridge will no doubt set a high bar for the following boats and should be one of the main contenders for the pennant.
Exeter University BC
This university seems to have had a successful year in rowing, with their Women’s Championship Lightweight Coxless Four coming fifth in the A final at BUCS Regatta, and their lightweight quad coming fourth in the A final at the European Universities Rowing Championships just a couple of months ago.
While I can’t comment much on this specific crew entry, Exeter’s recent performances at inter-university rowing competitions should give them confidence coming into this Women’s Academic Coxless Fours event.
Imperial College London BC
The second entry that is native to the Tideway, Imperial’s two crews will have a useful advantage when it comes to navigating the challenging course. As it is their first major race of the season, it will be interesting and exciting to see what they bring to the competition.
Oxford University Lightweight Women’s RC
This entry from OULWRC will undoubtedly be hoping to recreate their recent performance at Upper Thames Autumn Head, where both their eight and their coxed four won their categories. As they face up against CUBC for the first time since The Boat Race, they will surely be looking to establish themselves as a crew to watch out for in the coming months.
Prediction
Since it’s the first major race in the season for many of these crews, it is hard to make a confident prediction, although I do expect the ULBC crew and at least one of the entries from Cambridge to be battling it out for the pennant. Regardless, every crew should be going into the event expecting some competitive and exciting racing.
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