Aspirational Academic Coxless Fours:
Semi Finals:
K S R V Njord (NED) vs University of London
UL got some stern guidance form the umpires in the first 300 meters of this race as they were moving over into the Dutch crews water, however they were still behind at the barrier marker. The crew from the Netherlands did not quite pull away until the two crews came past the boating pontoon where Njord gained about a length of clear water. They maintained this lead until the finish.
Oxford University vs Cambridge University
A battle of the blues on the Thames today, with the athletes also being lifted from the official blue teams. Coming through the quarter mile marker Oxford had gained a slight lead after having a better start. Cambridge were fighting hard to stay in contact and Oxford could only push away by about a canvas as they rowed past the spectators. Oxford put in a decisive push in the final stretch and managed to gain another half-length on their opponents.
Final:
Oxford University vs K S R V Njord (NED)
Immediately off the island Njord were warned for steering too close to the crew from Oxford and this may have thrown them off slightly as they didn’t extend their lead by too much. Coming into the barrier marker Oxford was half a length down but still staying in touch with their Dutch counterparts. Both crews were proving why they had made it all the way to final, with their rowing looking relaxed and strong even at such high rates. Njord continued to pull away after putting in a push and crossed the line first, but it was a well fought race from Oxford.
Aspirational Academic Eights:
Semi Final:
Newcastle University vs Durham Univeristy
Both of these crews will be very familiar with looking over at the start line and seeing each other and it was neck and neck immediately off the start. There was only a quarter length in Durham’s favour as they came through the barrier marker. Durham got a warning from the umpire at the halfway point for moving over to close to the blue star boat and they couldn’t seem to shake them off. It was very tight crossing the line but it was the crew from Durham that came away with the win.
NUI Galway (IRL) vs Oxford Brookes
The Irish crew had a tough ask coming into this race to beat this very dominant Brookes crew but they did very well in the first part of the race to stay in touch, not letting Brookes extend their lead by too much. They clearly decided to go out fast and strong to just do everything they could. As they stormed through the barrier Brookes was still having to work had to push away from Galway and they had only gained a canvas of clear water by the halfway point. Brookes began to take the rate down as they came towards the finish and crossed the line over a length ahead.
Final:
Oxford Brookes vs Durham University
This category has given us some brilliant racing at this regatta, and the final was set up to be a good one. Both crews have had some tough early rounds and Brookes have had their fair share of controversy this weekend, however, they looked strong as ever as they burst out of the blocks. There was half a length difference between the two crews by the quarter mile marker and Brookes worked every stroke to extend this lead. It was a good show of just how good the Brookes boats are, this crew from Durham is an exceptional example of a student eight but it was Brookes that was victorious this time.
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