With a season of red flags, floods and cancelled events, clubs are keen to get back into the racing spirit, and where else better to come than on the tideway stretch we all have our love/hate relationship with. With a high stream, fast times are expected, but tough conditions will follow. The recent Boat Race fixtures showed us just what drama can occur when crews face up on the tideway, but how will all the crews handle it? As good prep for HoRR (and WeHoRR for the women’s events), these eights are keen to get on the water and show their worth.
University of Bristol
With two boats entered, University of Bristol are contenders for the win in this event. Having won the intermediate men’s eight in 2022, they are a force to be reckoned with. With no entries last year, they come to show their force as they race across the Tideway. At Henley Royal Regatta last year, their ‘A’ crew lost their second round to a strong Brookes crew, but won their first round when pitted against their ‘B’ crew. With only 1.75 lengths between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ crews, it shows their second eight still has strength, perhaps presenting the edge they need to claim the win here.
Imperial College London
A Tideway-based club, Imperial have a strong advantage over other crews. But with minimal water time, will it be enough to give their crew the experience of rate work on the tough Tideway stretch they need? Or will the series of red flag mitigate the margin they have? Having not entered this head race in recent years, they could be using the regatta as prep for HoRR. Looking at previous results, they had a tough time at Henley Royal Regatta, losing on the Tuesday in the Temple Challenge Cup to Colgate University, who themselves would lose on the Wednesday to Syracuse University by three lengths. Maybe using this time to develop strength in their squad, we look forward to seeing the Imperial group in action.
Vesta
The only other club to enter this event with two crews, Vesta will look to demonstrate their wily Tideway minds and long Tideway legs. Coming in third at last year’s event, to complement an identical finishing docket in 2022, the main aim will be on breaking open the duopoly above them. Will they finally crack the top two or are they destined to stay in third?
Southampton University
Based on the salty Solent, Southampton University aren’t new to Hammersmith Head. Finishing 12th in 2022, and with only twelve crews entered this year, Southampton are hopefuls to crack in the top ten. Like many crews, they have largely been banished to the ergs, but their home water is tidal so a run-out on the Tideway will feel relatively regular. Will they have managed to recruit the right rowers and spent the right amount of time molding them into a cohesive unit? One thing we know is that their result will be a show of grit and determination.
Predictions
Every crew will hope their land training will give them the edge that other crews won’t be able to step up to. The lack of water time is a tough hurdle to battle against, and there’s no denying the Tideway training advantage some crews will arrive with. An additional shout out to Curlew is worthwhile, as they look to improve upon their historical positions; sixth of eight last year, and tenth of 20 in 2022.
University of Bristol look to be the top contenders for the win, while Imperial will be well-drilled. Vesta will fight but I do not believe they’ll have the horsepower to overcome the two university programs. With baited breath, we wait on the precipice for this unusually early preview of March madness.
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