The Fours Head is held on the famous racing stretch of the Thames, The Tideway, a 6.8km route from Chiswick Bridge finishing at Putney Pier. This year the race is being held on Sunday the 5th of November and will see crews from across the country battling it out for the top spots in each category. The Women’s Academic Quad category this year is a match between multiple Reading University and Nottingham University crews, with Sheffield also sending a crew.
Reading University
As expected, Reading University have multiple entries in the Women’s Academic Quad category. Known as a sculling university, the depth within their crews will be shown out on the tideway course this weekend. Their three entries will be recognisable by the letters D, F, and G.
Quad D has Stratton who was consistently in their top women’s quad for the 2022/23 season. Last season Stratton competed at BUCS regatta in the Champ quad category coming second, then went to Duisburg international regatta, and also finished second at Met regatta. Finally, rounding off the season with qualifications for both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. Quad D also has Povey who was in a racing quad last season and also competed in a single at BUCS regatta. Quad F has two members who also spent most of last season racing in quads for Reading. Turner and Clench were in different boats and have now come together to form a new lineup for Fours Head this year. It is yet to be seen how this crew will perform, but what we do know is last year the second women’s quad came eighth at Met Regatta.
Many of the women in these Reading crews have raced in differing formations during the last season with many competing at the big summer term races, ultimately providing the required racing experience to serve them all well this weekend. It will be interesting to see which of the Reading crews comes out on top, as I’m sure they are all fighting to prove their ability and standing within the category and also within their squad.
Nottingham University
Similarly, Nottingham University have had many previous successes in sculling categories, especially last season and over summer with their top quad. Both crews they are sending to Fours Head, named by the letters C and E, will be looking to continue their success.
Quad C contains two of the members of the Nottingham quad that raced at the European University Championships over summer. Both Burke and Kirkhope finished second in the Women’s Quad category showing their hard work and determination. Likewise, Church competed in at Henley Royal Regatta for The Princess Grace Challenge Cup and Kirk raced in a double at Henley Women’s Regatta. Likewise, Quad E also has many seasoned rowers. Firstly, Dalzell, who raced in a lightweight single at Henley Women’s Regatta for The Fiona Dennis Trophy, and Cunningham who raced in a coxless four at Henley Women’s Regatta for The Cathy Cruickshank Trophy. Also, Donnell who raced at Henley Royal Regatta in a double for The Haslam Trophy, alongside Kirk who is in Quad C.
This confirms the strength of both Nottingham quads who will be putting on display the depth of their women’s squad. However only one quad can win, so all athletes will be looking for the victory and to prove their skill.
Sheffield University
This year, Sheffield University is sending one quad to Fours Head in a field otherwise dominated by Reading and Nottingham crews. By qualifying one of their two quads at Henley Women’s Regatta, the university will be looking to continue to build on their successes last season and put a mark down for the year ahead. Although this particular crew were not members of the quads Sheffield produced last season, they must not be underestimated and will be working hard to prove themselves in a stacked field.
Predictions
My money is on the Nottingham University Quad C this weekend. With two members having raced at the European University Championships over the summer, and the other two at Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta, they have a guaranteed strong foundation of training and will want to consolidate their place in the within the academic quad category. Yet, the strength of the Reading University crews is yet to be seen after a successful season, particularly the experience of members in quad D. Plus, potentially matched crews could make for an exciting battle out on The Tideway. And finally, the Sheffield University crew must not be forgotten, and it will be seen on the day what they may have in store for the rest of the season.
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