Unlike many events, the aspirational quad category at Henley Women’s Regatta features both student boats and club crews. This leaves the competition wide open, as many of these programs across clubs and universities have an excellent calibre of athletes. Outside of Henley Women’s, these boats will not have had many chances to meet each other, if at all, so to do so on one of the most iconic stages and in such an intense one-on-one fashion will inevitably lead to some of the most exciting series of races at the regatta.
Queen’s University Belfast
When comparing the intermediate quad results at BUCS regatta to the Henley Women’s entry list, a few key institutions stick out; Queen’s Belfast, Bath and Loughborough. Having come second in the BUCS B final, Queen’s are currently the one to beat in this line up. Bow seat Curtis also secured first in the B final of the intermediate single. Stroke seat Donohoe raced for Ireland at the Spanish Coup de la Jeunesse European International Regatta 2022, so has some tough racing experience under her belt. This crew also made the A-final both days at the Metropolitan regatta, including a fourth place finish on the Sunday.
Loughborough University
Coming in sixth place in the BUCS regatta intermediate quad B final, behind Queen’s and Bath University (also featured this weekend) and was Loughborough. Some members of this crew have also had recent success in doubles, with a win at Peterborough regatta and a fourth in the BUCS regatta B final for the intermediate double. Loughborough had a solid joint 17th (tied with Bristol) in the overall VL at BUCs regatta, and just by taking a glance at the A and B finals they made throughout the BUCS weekend shows that they are excelling in their sculling boats. This quad has great potential, but will have to do something special to see off crews from universities they have already faced this season, and the clubs they will meet as well.
Bath University
Last but not least are last year’s finalists: Bath. With an 11th overall finish at BUCS regatta in the VL, we know that Bath have a good sculling reputation and at BUCS they illustrated this. Over the weekend their women’s quads secured a third place in the intermediate quads B final and a fifth place in the A final of the championship quads. Their reputation is good, they have the results to show it, but can they go one better than last year?
Globe RC
Last year Globe RC was drawn against the eventual winners in the category in the first round, a tough position to find yourself in. On Met Saturday Globe RC came third in the B final, against some very tough competition. They also won the women’s quads at Poplar Regatta, so have some well earnt racing success to aid them on the Henley course.
Mortlake and Anglican
Mortlake and Anglican however, finished in second place behind Globe RC at Poplar, as well as a sixth place in the Saturday B final at Met. A club that battles with the tidal thames on a daily basis, they will be coming in as underdogs this weekend but as their season so far shows, there is some speed in this boat. last year their aspirational quad made it into the semi finals, being beaten to the line by the crew from Bath University. The fact that both are back again is exciting and there is the chance, if the draw and qualification permits, they may one again face off down the Henley course.
Predictions
It is worth noting that it is hard to tell how international crew may perform, however we can assume that they will not make the long trip overseas without having their sights set firmly on the win. That being said, Queen’s University Belfast is looking to be in the strongest position heading into racing.
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