This year’s competition for The Avril Vellacott Cup Championship Four will see ten crews race for seeding in the qualifying round. As the calibre of each crew entered is high, this competitive field of athletes promises exciting racing that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thames RC
After such a dominant performance at Metropolitan Regatta earlier this year, Thames Rowing Club are looking to be an incredibly strong contender for this year’s competition. Winning both Saturday and Sunday’s racing in the Women’s Championship Coxless Four category, Thames demonstrated their dominance which will rear its head once again throughout the competition.
Tideway Scullers School
Tideway Scullers School have two crews entered; the first consisting of only Tideway athletes and the second being a composite crew with Tideway athletes Brown and Luton rowing alongside two athletes from Casitas Rowing (USA). At the Saturday of Metropolitan Regatta, Scullers finished in second place with a boat that was formed by Brown, Abbot, Luton and Lindsay however this successful crew has been split between Scullers ‘A’ and the composite crew, with Abbott and Lindsay rowing in Scullers ‘A’ and Luton rowing with Casitas athletes. It will be incredibly interesting to see how splitting the previously successful four will affect the results that Scullers are able to secure, with the division of athletes amongst boats perhaps upping the chances of featuring at the top of the table.
Edinburgh University BC
Amongst the clubs entered in this division is Edinburgh University. This season has proved incredibly successful for Edinburgh, with their Women’s Championship Fours securing third place at BUCS Regatta. Edinburgh, most likely fuelled by their success at BUCS and determination for improvement, are definitely not to be overlooked.
Nottingham University BC
Nottingham University’s performance at Metropolitan Regatta was incredibly exciting. Placing third in the A final of the racing on Sunday, Nottingham made it clear that they were more than capable of racing amongst some of the finest crews in the country. I’m certain that they will make their impact felt amongst their fellow competitors and will likely proceed into the latter stages of racing.
Leander Club
The calibre of athlete within Leander Club’s entry is evident, which marks them as dangerous opposition. Courty, who finished seventh in the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton in the Women’s Four epitomises the level of skill that Leander bring to this division. Alongside Courty, is Hawes, who is a HRR Island Challenge Cup Winner in 2021 whilst at Brookes, and an U23 European Bronze medallist in 2021 as part of the Women’s Four. It’s clear that Leander’s performance will reflect the incredible experience of their athletes racing, making them fierce competitors.
Prediction
Overall, I think that it is likely that we will see Leander, Thames, Tideway Scullers and the Scullers/Casitas composite crew battle it out for the top positions in this division. However, it would be foolish to undermine the clear threat for a top position that is posed by Nottingham and Edinburgh.
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