Following another season of ruthless cancellations, Rutherford Head appears to be one of the only opportunities for crews to start testing their speed this side of Christmas. With several crews racing over three bands, the women’s coxed four will indicate the depth of talent amongst the northern universities and clubs.
Band One
Band one has four entries: one from the University of Edinburgh Boat Club and the other three from the University of Durham Boat Club. Durham ‘A’ is leading the pack, and with three boats entered, the odds of probability are in favour of the women in purple. Last season saw a win in the aspirational academic coxless four and a Quarterfinal in the championship eight at Henley Women’s Regatta and the qualification of two crews into The Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. With the first eight making it to the Friday, losing to the eventual finalists from Newcastle University, it is clear the Durham women’s sweep programme is highly competitive. Edinburgh came second in this event in 2023, beaten by the University of Glasgow by less than five seconds. In July, Edinburgh managed to qualify three women’s eights into Henley Royal Regatta, the most of any university programme, with one of these progressing to the Friday. Several of their athletes also picked up medals at the Home International Regatta, representing Scotland. This will be an incredible band to watch; all crews will push each other to the line.
Band One Prediction
Based on the number of entries from the palatinate powerhouse, Durham University Boat Club, in this band- I would expect their ‘A’ crew to take the win, with the Edinburgh University Boat Club entry just behind them.
Band Two
Last Year, Newcastle University Boat Club won band two on their home water, and they will likely try to replicate this win. Having sent many athletes to GB trials last month, with six making it to the water testing, high performance is in Newcastle’s blood. However, they will have the Scottish universities of Edinburgh University Boat Club and St Andrews University Boat Club hot on their tail in this band. In 2023, although Newcastle won band two, Edinburgh’s band two boat was 0.6 seconds behind them. I imagine this sting will aid Edinburgh in its quest for revenge. St Andrews are slowly rising following a well-deserved win in the challenge category at Women’s Head of the River Race last season.
Band Two Prediction
The women from Newcastle University Boat Club have demonstrated their strength and daring racing ability, so I expect them to claim the win again in this category- with Edinburgh University Boat Club coming in just behind them.
Band Three
Band three again sees a boat from the University of St Andrew’s Boat Club alongside contingents from the University of York Boat Club, the University of Leeds Boat Club and several Durham College boats. York has historically fielded some strong women’s coxed fours, and Leeds often benefits from the proximity of the Yorkshire Performance Development Academy. This band will likely have some closer racing than Band two and is pretty unpredictable.
Band Three Prediction
It is much harder to predict this category without understanding who makes up the crews. However, based on previous form, I expect the University of York Boat Club and the University of Leeds Boat Club to be the two most competitive crews in this category.
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