The stage is set, and the heart of British rowing is about to witness an electrifying battle on the water as the Metropolitan Regatta 2023 prepares to host the fiercely competitive Open Coxed Fours category. This will likely be the first test of speed for Henley hopefuls, with universities gearing up for the Prince Albert Challenge Cup, and clubs looking towards the Britannia Challenge Cup.
Durham University BC
After winning the Victor Ludorum at BUCS Regatta, Durham seem to have found a rich vein of form. With their eyes set on obtaining Henley red boxes, Durham will have been training hard towards this goal. Their top crew, in the championship category, is stroked by Oliver Pearson, a member of their currently very strong first eight.
Edinburgh University BC
They’ll face some competition from the University of Edinburgh though. Stroked by their president, Harry Guy, this crew managed a sixth place finish at BUCS Regatta, sixteen seconds behind the Durham crew mentioned earlier. While this is a hefty margin, the big clubs usually ramp up the training in the run up to HRR, so anything could happen here.
Cambridge University BC
After claiming a clean sweep at this year’s Boat Race, Cambridge University seem to have struggled to reach those same heights since. Following a mediocre BUCS Regatta on the men’s side, this coxed four will have been working hard in Ely, trying to find the missing ingredient. Featuring Boat Race winner and former successful lightweight Matt Edge, they’re certainly not short on talent.
Marlow RC
Unusually entered into championship, Marlow Rowing Club seem to be having a decent season. After a 28th-place finish at Head of the River, Marlow haven’t raced much since. However, they manage to produce fast fours every year for Henley, so expect this crew to be no different.
London RC
My favourites to take the win in the club category, London Rowing Club, are so far having a fairly strong season. After a 13th-place finish at HoRR, London have ramped up the training, and won a plethora of medals at Wallingford Regatta. Stroked by Calum Jenkins, a Britannia Challenge Cup finalist from last year, London look to be a pretty fast outfit.
Imperial College BC
Another Putney Embankment crew, Imperial College have split up their first eight into two coxed fours, both racing in the academic category. Most of the other high performance universities have entered championship, but Imperial will face some competition from members of Durham’s second eight, who are also pretty fast.
Molesey BC
Last year’s Thames Cup winners, Molesey Boat Club have entered a crew into the championship category. A tenth place finish at HoRR means they’re also pretty quick. They’ll face some tough competition from Durham and Edinburgh though.
Prediction
Overall, I expect Durham to win the championship category. They were clear of any rivals at BUCS, and probably the next fastest crew (London RC) are racing in club. I expect they’ll win that. As to the academic category, I predict Imperial to take the win here.
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