The largest rowing event in the world returns for another year, with crews from across the globe travelling to take on the gruelling course. The Men’s Championship Eights is the blue-ribband event, with an eye-watering entry list packed with some of the biggest names worldwide. This field has all of the usual suspects from the US collegiate scene, as well as other well-known names from further afield, a fact that highlights the draw that this event has on a global level.
At the time of writing, full crew lists are not available so this preview will look at the pedigree and form of the various entries.
University of Washington
The Huskies will lead the field as crew number one, having taken the Headship this time last year. Washington is a programme who’s reputation and the results it produces need no introduction. Last year they had a somewhat disappointing time when they missed the podium altogether at the IRA Championships in the Varsity Eights event, and despite making the final of the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley in what was a stacked field, they were well beaten by Oxford Brookes in the final. With that said, it would take a very brave individual to look at the Huskies as anything but a major contender.
Dartmouth College
The Big Green will be going off second in this field after their second-place finish to Washington in last year’s event. Under the leadership of 2004 Olympic Champion in the U.S. Men’s Eight in the form of Wyatt Allen, Dartmouth are starting to challenge more and more consistently at the top end of events. They missed the Grand Final at the IRAs last season after getting their semi final wrong, but then took a dominant win in the Petite Final to make amends, and narrowly went down to Cal at Henley. A crew to watch for sure…
U.S. Rowing
Racing under the National Team flag, this crew ought to be the clear favourite. Despite just missing out on the medal at the recent World Championships where they were fourth, the U.S. crew then competed at the Netz Cup in Germany where they beat Ukraine, Germany and the Netherlands over the 12.7km course. Without knowing the exact crew it is hard to speculate as to their true speed but as a National Team entry and all experienced on this course, they ought to be quick.
Yale University
With two crews here, the Bulldogs need no introduction. Under Steve Gladstone they are one of the most revered programmes in the world, with constant success. Despite finishing runners up to Cal in the Varsity Eights at the IRAs, they took the team trophy due to the strength in depth of their programme. This strength will stand them in good stead at this early stage of the year with new athletes coming through into the top eight.
Leander Club
Making the trip over from the UK are the men from Leander, one of the premier programmes in the UK and for a long time the primary feeder club for the British Team. They took the Ladies Plate at Henley in 2022 and will not have committed to the trip unless they felt they had something serious to offer the event.
Harvard University
On their home water, Harvard will want to put out a strong statement to carry them into their winter training. They always produce crews of consistent quality and speed, though arguably have been lacking the top end speed to compete with the likes of Yale and Cal, Berkeley in recent years. Home water should help them in terms of being familiar with what is a tricky course in places, and with a history like theirs, they can never be discounted.
Others
In terms of other notable entries, the National squads of Ukraine and Denmark have crews entered. Both being nations who aren’t typically associated with the eight, it will be fascinating to see how these crews have gelled and how they race, especially starting such a long way down the field. Usual suspects such as Brown, Princeton and Syracuse will all be there looking to challenge the big names highlighted above.
Prediction
Early season events are always hard to call what with limited form and limited training time being so soon after returning. I do think the U.S. National Team entry will win this event given their pedigree and prowess rowing eights. Washington and Yale are my other picks for the podium.
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