The introduction of the Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta means that most universities have chosen to focus on the eight as their priority boat for the 2021/22 racing season, so it is likely that many of these boats are not the ‘first’ boat. However, this does not mean that racing won’t be fast, and if anything it’ll remain just as competitive, given that many are in the similar position of not being the ‘first’ boat.
Oxford University Women’s BC
There have been some seasons where OUWBC see their season end after the Boat Race, so it is exciting to see a crew entered at one of the major regattas. OUWBC recently sent a boat to Croatia, where they won the Regatta Sveti Duje. This very recent regatta experience could give them a slight edge over some competitors who haven’t done any side by side racing since BUCS. Moreover, G Jones was a member of this year’s Osiris crew (the Oxford Women’s Reserve Boat), so I would expect the athletes in this boat to all to be of high calibre looking to take the top spot.
Cambridge University BC
It is great to see that CUBC has also chosen to enter a crew alike their dark blue competitors. This crew is entered under G King, who was a member of the winning 2021 Goldie crew, also taking the gold medal in Women’s Championship Fours at BUCS in May 2022. Whilst the other three women in the boat are not known, I expect that the wealth of experience of CUBC squad members will result in some rapid times that will be hard for other crews to beat.
Oxford Brookes University BC
While this crew will not necessarily be composed of Oxford Brookes top athletes, who are racing elsewhere, Brookes are synonymous with being the top dogs in sweep rowing, so this crew can be expected to be in and amongst the fight on Saturday.
University of London BC
Alike some of the other entries into this event, entry information from the BUCS Regatta would imply that this crew is composed of athletes who just missed out on making the first eight. Regardless, ULBC always produce crews of an extremely high calibre, with both great technical ability and high strength, so I have no doubt that we will see some fast times from this coxless four.
Durham University BC
Out of the major names in this event, Durham is the only club who have chosen to enter their crews into both days, and this should definitely play to their advantage. E. Cushen was part of the Durham eight that came fifth in the Women’s Championship Eight at the BUCS Regatta. Furthermore, Durham has two entries on both days of this event which suggests that they have split up one of their eights.
Prediction
Both days of the regatta should see some incredibly tight results from both the time trial, and then some close side by side racing, with entries coming from historically competitive clubs. However, I would predict Cambridge will take a confident win on Saturday, given their experience and impressive domination at the BUCS Regatta, where their women’s squad took the Victor Ludorum. On Sunday, I would expect one of the Durham crews to win, however, with little known about some of the other crews, there is an opportunity for an upset!
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