With Storm Bert having caused havoc earlier this week, it’s all fingers crossed that Rutherford Head does not fall victim to one of many cancellations across the country. One of the final events before Christmas, it would be great to see crews get one last race in 2024.
Newcastle University
Home favourites Newcastle will be looking to assert their dominance on their course. With two crews entered, their women’s squad continues to go from strength to strength, building off the back of last season’s success. Finalists in the Island at Henley Royal and semi-finalists at Henley Women’s, many of these women are experienced in hard and fast racing, none more so than Club Captain and U23 World Champion Holly Youd. Most of their top athletes will have been focused until recently on their Single performance at trials, and it will therefore be interesting to see how this translates into bigger boats. Last year Newcastle triumphed at this event, beating Edinburgh by 7 seconds. This margin was however reversed just a couple of months later at BUCS Head. The Blue Star will certainly want to get the upperhand this weekend.
Edinburgh University
It’s hard to know how Edinburgh are shaping up this year, with very few events having happened so far. In recent years their women’s squad had some fantastic depth, with two eights qualifying to race the Island at Henley Royal last season and coming close to winning the Aspirational Academic Eights at Henley Women’s. In Coxless Fours their top result was a second place finish at BUCS Head. They will hope to replicate this this weekend and get an early season victory over Newcastle. Two years ago they had some stellar results in this boat class, winning BUCS Head and BUCS Regatta, all kickstarted by winning Rutherford Head. They will hope they can return to this form this season.
Nottingham University
Nottingham University have struggled against the likes of Edinburgh and Newcastle in recent years, unable to quite match their heights. Despite this they have been consistent qualifiers for the Island and close to top 6 finishes at BUCS events. In a new season they will hope to continue to build and Rutherford Head will be an exciting race to start this.
Prediction
The rivalry between Newcastle and Edinburgh continues and as always provides a fascinating match up. Newcastle could have the edge this weekend, building off last season’s summer performances, but expect it to be close.
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