Whilst the prestigious Henley Women’s Regatta is ongoing, the men will be keeping themselves occupied with another trip to Eton Dorney for what is arguably the largest non-Henley rowing event on the calendar. With 53 crews competing within Tier 2 eights at Marlow Regatta, we are excited to see some very tight and aggressive racing to see who can put in that final shift for prequalification at Henley Royal Regatta.
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club
Coming to the end of my first year writing for JRN, I’ve noticed there are three certainties in this world. Death, taxes, and Oxford Brookes being on my preview. It is impossible to overlook them as the standard for university rowing, not only within the UK, but also the world. Henry Bailhache-Webb has built a formidable program that churns out phenomenal athlete after phenomenal athlete. Despite Brookes only having their third and below eights in this specific category, we can expect their presence at the top.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
The Scottish titans have come down south once more to show us why it is a mistake to forget about them. At the Metropolitan Regatta, they were the fastest finishers of the crews competing in Tier 2 eights this weekend, winding up 16th overall. However, on raw times, they are very close to the other crews mentioned here. This will be an opportunity for Edinburgh to solidify their standing, but they need to be wary of the pack right on their tail. It’s also fair to point out that their four quickest athletes are in the coxed four, tilting at the Prince Albert, so this would be Edinburgh’s second string.
Durham University Boat Club
A boat club with arguably the best-run collegiate system in the country, this second eight will be eager to turn around the result from Metropolitan Regatta. There will also be a bid to retain the clear water they had over Newcastle’s second eight at Met. We can expect to see Durham really stamp their presence here. Just qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta would mean the world to this group of athletes in an increasingly-congested Temple Challenge Cup.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Just losing out to Durham’s second eight at Metropolitan Regatta, the Blue Star will be eager to cross the line first. A program known for its brutality under the watchful eye of Italian maestro Angelo Saverino, Newcastle are bound to fight hard, showing the fruitfulness of their training up on the Tyne. Anticipation is high to see which clubs can prequalify their second eights for the Temple Challenge cup in two weeks’ time, and Angelo Savarino’s boys are expected to be right in that fight.
Imperial College London Boat Club
The blue, black, and white of Imperial will be raring to turn around their result from Metropolitan Regatta; trailing at the back of the C-final is not what they will have wanted, and for a program with such depth, they will be desperate to catch up to the likes of Newcastle’s and Durham’s second eights. Can we expect some turn around in the results here?
Predictions
To be frank, it would be ludicrous to not place Oxford Brookes at the top of this field, and it is likely that Brookes will also take home the silver medal. I do believe there is going to be a very tight and exciting fight for that bronze between all the contenders mentioned here. Best of luck to all the competitors, and I’m looking forward to the show.
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