Reviews
Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ v Texas University, USA
The press box were expecting a far closer contest between these two crews as top boats favoured to win the trophy. Oxford Brookes were able to control the race from the Island, reaching a length-and-a-half advantage before the barrier from which they were able to reduce striking to 34 and maintain a commanding position over the Americans, propelling them to a comfortable win.
Newcastle University ‘A’ v Durham University ‘A’
Noise erupted from the boat tents as the northern rivals took to the stage. I can only imagine the pressure they were under, as both crews launched out of the start. I believe Newcastle would have approached their strategy by going hard in the first section of the race to ‘get in front, stay in front’ of the Palatinate crew, who on paper were more favoured for the win. While it was level out of the Island, Durham soon found momentum, gaining a length-and-a-half at the Barrier which they continued to extend until the grandstand with both crews rating 34. Newcastle didn’t appear to ‘push for home’ while Durham reduced their rate into the finish, scoring a win in their grudge-match.
Oxford Brookes University ‘B’ v Stanford University, USA
A Brookes- Brookes final is no longer on the cards. In spite of a pacy start that alluded to a tight contest, coming off the island striking 42 and 38 respectively, the Americans were quick to establish a half length lead before the Barrier. Weirdly, Stanford almost performed in the way we see Brookes win races: they were relaxed and internal, consistently moving away and reducing rate into low thirties during the middle stretch of the course, they were able to command the locals resulting in a seemingly very comfortable victory.
Previews
Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ v Durham University ‘A’
A domestic affair, Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ will face Durham University ‘A’ in the semi-final of the Island Challenge Cup. Having raced against each other all year, Brookes will be going into Saturday self-assured they should have this race in the bag as the ‘creme de la creme’ of British university women’s rowing. But nonetheless we know anything can happen at Henley and Durham shouldn’t be discounted as a result, having topped GB Under 23 trials, their crew is packed with future talent, I hope Palatinate will give Oxford Brookes a good scare.
Stanford University v University of Pennsylvania ‘A’
Contrary to semi-final one, the Cardinal-Quaker race will be an all international ordeal, in two crews who will be all too familiar with each other. Four seconds apart in the 1V NCAA final, Stanford came out on top, winning the 2V (14 seconds ahead of Pennsylvania) as well as overall championship. Admittedly, the lineups will not be the same, but given the reputation of the programme in recent years, I see it more probable that Stanford will advance to the grand-final, but it will be a close contest.
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