This event on the famous Championship Course in London sits at an interesting time of the season, the weekend immediately after BUCS Head, where most university clubs will have competed in force, amongst the Boat Race fixture series, and in the lead up to the women’s and men’s eights heads which form the climax of the winter’s racing.
For most entering, however, this will form an integral step in their progression towards the more important races to come. For visiting clubs, valuable Tideway experience, for locals, an opportunity to get a run down the course without having to deal with quite so many obstacles experienced on a normal weekend.
There are 18 crews entered in the Open Intermediate Eights category, many will be second eights of large clubs but some will be top eights from smaller ones. Either way, I’m sure the racing will be tight and it’s tough to call out the winner at this stage.
University of London BC
Starting at the top of the draw with UL, a club well-known to all. They didn’t compete at BUCS Head last week, which has been a recent trend for the club, the still relatively new coach Smithy clearly valuing a weekend at home to the prospect of travelling to compete on the Tyne. Regardless, UL have shown some impressive speed this season, despite losing to local rivals, Imperial College, at Quintin Head.
Imperial College BC
As mentioned, in their most recent head-to-head Imperial got the better of UL, placing them as the local favourites at least amongst the student clubs. Imperial did go up to Newcastle for BUCS Head last weekend, where they put in a very solid performance across the board, coming second in Men’s Championship Eights and third in Men’s Intermediate Eights. Seeing Imperial competing at the sharp end of student rowing is a welcome sight and the continued battle between them and UL provides an exciting narrative going forward this season.
London RC
One of the major players on the Putney Embankment and a club which has risen in status after a recent lull in performances, London RC looks well placed to take the win in this event at the weekend. While often playing second fiddle to Thames RC a couple of boathouses down, they are not racing this weekend which puts London in prime position.
At Quintin, London placed a strong second place overall with their second eight placing eighth and second in the Open Senior category. Perhaps this time London will be able to go all the way and come away with some silverware.
Prediction
These intermediate-level events can be the hardest to call, with individual rowers moving up and down through the squads the crews themselves can often change, and with a larger entry list from which to pick the winners, we are often surprised. The main contenders should be those above, but other notable entries include Vesta RC and Lea RC.
For my money, I think London look good for the win, followed by Imperial and UL.
Good luck to all racing!
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