After an arduous winter training period, crews across the country will be preparing to don their club colours and head to the Tideway for the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race. The Senior Pennant has a massive 57 entries, with a roughly even split between clubs and universities for the highest starting crews. For the Senior University Eights, university’s with high-performance centres will likely dominate because of their unmatched depth.
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club ‘C’ ‘D’ and ‘E’
Last year’s senior pennant winners, Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, will be vying to defend their title this weekend. Their ‘C’ entry sets off 12th and will be the first senior university crew to pass under Chiswick Bridge. They’re followed by their ‘D’ and ‘E’ entries, starting from 36th and 73rd. These crews will no doubt have the task of improving upon last year’s phenomenal results and demonstrating that the Oxford Brookes women are unbeatable.
Nottingham University Boat Club ‘A’ and ‘B’
The University of Nottingham Boat Club women’s programme is going from strength to strength. Following their first Island Challenge Cup qualification at Henley Royal Regatta and being awarded British Rowing’s University Crew of the Year, the Nottingham women will seek to solidify their position as ones to watch within the university rowing scene. It will be exciting to see how both ‘A’ and ‘B’ entries perform up against the goliath high-performance centres they will start against.
Durham University Boat Club ‘B’
Following winning the Women’s Victor Ludorum at BUCS Head, Durham University Boat Club will yet again want to show off the depth within their squad on the Tideway this weekend. Their ‘B’ entry starts 32nd and will likely be planning to chase down the senior clubs that set off just ahead.
University of London Boat Club ‘B’ and ‘C’
With the advantage of being most familiar with the quirks of the Tideway, the University of London Boat Club have two senior university entries. Last year’s ‘B’ entry suffered from sickness in the week leading up to the race, so they will most certainly be chasing down a higher finish this year.
Prediction
It’s difficult to see anyone surpassing the dominance of Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, who enter this category as favourites. However, hopefully, we’ll see them pushed all the way with some strong racing from Nottingham University Boat Club and Durham University Boat Club. Good luck to all crews racing!
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