Not all of us are blessed with the coordination to handle two blades at once, and us sweep rowers hear time and time again from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle that we’re missing out, because “there’s just nothing better than a good quad”. I’ve heard it so many times I’m beginning to think it’s part of a wider conspiracy to bolster a sculler’s reputation as the more refined, classier side of rowing, and to discredit their more indelicate counterparts whose attention span limits them to just one oar. Allegedly. Regardless of the legitimacy of the sculler’s cabal and their machinations, they’ll need to ratify that statement in sweat and, knowing the Tideway in November, probably tears as well, come 2023’s edition of The Four’s Head.
Reading University
The Academic Quad is a chance for the strength of a program to really shine, instead of allowing the talent of individuals to carry them, and none is positioned better to achieve this than Reading University. RUBC has consistently shown up on the weekend at HRR for the last several years, bar a tough draw placing them against semi-finalists Thames RC on Day One in 2023. The 2022 finalists have placed their top quad in the Championship category, allowing four quads worth of athletes a crack at the Academic pennant. That they are in a position to enter than many athletes in itself speaks to the strength of the program, and I would be hard pressed to bet against one of them taking home the pennant.
Loughborough University
The first of a pair of challengers will be the lads from Loughborough Students RC. Loughborough hasn’t had a Prince of Wales quad since 2022, but the Academic Quad will be a fantastic opportunity to prove themselves against similarly experienced talent and have their unique skill sets shine. While it may be iconic, the Tideway is notorious for the challenges it offers in both steering and conditions, and should one of those days that strikes fear in a rower’s chest arise, it could be an opportunity for the established order to scramble, and LSRC may be the perfect crew to take that opportunity.
Southampton University
The final challenger chasing down the leading pack is Southampton University. Led by Orpin, they too will be looking to split the RUBC crews, and establish themselves as contenders to qualify for the Prince of Wales come the summer months. Sunny days on the Henley stretch will feel very far away however, when they come roaring around Hammersmith on Sunday, but if they can hold their hand in the fire to the finish at Putney, it will serve as an ample metaphor to carry them through the coming winter months.
Prediction
I anticipate Reading University to take the first two places and the pennant, but it would be ignorant to rule out Loughborough or Southampton challenging for the third, or even the second-place slot.
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