University of Washington v. University of California, Berkeley
It was neck and neck as the two crews came away from the island and they continued to match each other stroke for stroke as they came up to the Barrier marker. Washington put in a push and took the rate up to a blistering 39 strokes per minute to take just a canvas lead from their American competition. But It seemed as if they had gone too quickly too soon, as Cal Berkley kept calm and rowed through them at the Fawley marker. It was the sign of a more collected and perhaps better executed race plan that meant Cal Berkley took their lead to half a length by the enclosures. They came across the line at 36 whilst the huskies were 40 spm, and it was the Californians that nabbed the win.
Edinburgh University v Newcastle University
A battle of the north was up next in the PA and both crews had solid starts. It was Newcastle who came away from the island in front and had already taken a canvas lead out of Edinburgh. They continued this lead and managed to push it out to a length by the quarter mile marker. Edinburgh put in a good push as they came towards Remenham but it only closed the gap by a margin, which Newcastle then responded to effectively. The crew in baby blue didn’t let blue star run away from them and started to reduce the lead to just a quater of a mile by the enclosures where the wall of noise was spurring both crews on to take it up over the line. Newcastle had just enough left to maintain their lead and take the win.
DSR Proteus-Eretes, NED v Oxford Brookes B
Don’t be fooled by the B after the Oxford Brookes crew, they are a very strong crew and if anyone was going to take it to the Dutch they had the best chance. They went out quick and strong, holding them off until the first marker, where DSR extended their canvas led to half a length. By the barrier, this had increased slightly to two thirds of a length. But Brookes did not let them get away, and by the three-quarter mile marker they had reduced that lead back to just a canvas, with also the lower stroke rate. It looked as if Brookes would be able to row through, and they did just that by Remenham, reducing the lead by enough that they were almost stroke for stroke. The lead was passed back to the Dutch by the enclosures, although Brookes were taking the rate up rapidly as they came into the finish. It wasn’t enough however, and the win went to the crew from the Netherlands.
Oxford Brookes University A v Uni of California Berkley B
The second time we’ve seen these two universities in this category today and it was the turn of Brookes A to line up at the start. They were dominant from the first stroke over the boys from Berkeley, taking a length lead by the barrier and then maintaining this down the whole course. Brookes pushed forwards until they could see their lead was secure and then took the rate down to cruise through the line.
Previews
University California Berkeley A v Newcastle University
Both of these crews did not have an easy go of it today, neither race was a complete walk over. That arguably puts them on equal footing as they come into the Friday racing. Instinctively I would give the win to Berkeley, they performed very well and executed a good race plan, staying calm when their opposition was ahead. This bodes well for the next round and I think Newcastle will have a challenge on their hands if they want to cross the line first.
DSR Proteus- Ereteus v Oxford Brookes
In somewhat typical fashion, the Oxford Brookes four dominated their race today and they were able to take it down over the line. They had a much more comfortable time than the other crews who are also in the semi-finals and look incredibly strong coming into this race against the Dutch. I have a feeling they will row away with the win in this one.
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