With a biblical amount of rain causing widespread disruption across the racing calendar, this year’s head season has had a slow start. Though with clearer skies on the horizon, racing can hopefully resume for this weekend on the Tyne. With this being one of the first big-ticket events for many of these beginner crews, it will hopefully lead to top results that will continue to motivate them as they progress throughout the season.
Open Beginner Eights
With last year’s beginner events cancelled, many novice crews would have been disappointed not to have the opportunity to race and represent their clubs. With conditions looking more favourable this time round, there is sure to be some notable performances. Many prestigious names are entering the mix for this event, as Durham, Newcastle and Imperial universities all field crews.
It is a safe assumption that crews from Durham and Newcastle will already be sizing each other up, and it will be interesting (as always) to see who comes out on top. With this event being held on the Tyne, Newcastle will, of course, want to defend their patch against any visitors. Under the guidance of Angelo Savarino, NUBC has always achieved significant success, regularly supplying GB with elite-level athletes. This expectation will hopefully spur their budding athletes to take to the water with a gutsy performance to represent their club.
Open Beginner Coxed Four
With Surrey, Nottingham and Durham all boasting high-quality programmes, crew from these clubs will have been prepping since September to take on this racecourse. With no novice races going ahead last year, there is a level playing field that all crews can take advantage of. Again, Durham on home waters may have the upper hand.
Open Beginner Quad
The standout name for the event will be Queen’s University Belfast. With an impeccable reputation in this boat class, their novice men will undoubtedly be aiming to live up to the expectations of racing for Queen’s. Recently, their senior squad added to their myriad of wins, with gold medals for the intermediate men’s quad and club coxless four at this year’s Erne Fours head. Having also previously qualified a composite quad for Henley Royal Regatta, the senior squad has laid a solid foundation for these budding athletes to continue build on to the success of this boat club across all levels of rowing.
However, Loughborough University will also be looking to take the win home with them. With the men’s squad starting the year with strong performances at local events in the quad, taking first place at both Nottingham and Burton Heads, their novice crews will no doubt be looking to emulate this success too.
Prediction
Isolating these entries to one prospective winner per category is not so simple, as track records are limited in the novice category, especially given the additional weather restraints so far this season. Nonetheless, that is arguably one of the most exciting aspects of being a novice! All crews will be able to race in their categories without the pressure of having previously won, which makes for some exciting results to come.
