BUCS Regatta 2025 – Women’s Championship Coxed Fours Preview

BUCS Regatta marks a sharp transition from head racing to regatta racing, with a new format of a four-event to contend with. Saturday afternoon will see the Women’s Championship Coxed Four take to the water, and if the season so far is anything to go by, we’re set for a fierce battle between ten highly competitive crews with completely unique strengths.

Durham University BC

Durham are the only club fielding both A and B crews – double the chances, and arguably, double the danger for their competitors. Winners of this category at BUCS Head earlier this season and silver medallists behind Oxford Brookes at the Regatta in 2024, they are primed to finally capture the gold. The A crew, stroked by University of Southern California graduate and recent GB trials finalist Zoe McCutcheon, looks particularly potent. With McCutcheon also stroking Durham’s championship eight, expect a composed rhythm across the weekend that will be difficult to overhaul. Meanwhile, Durham’s B crew is manned by Ella Darrington – a particularly accomplished sculler, who is likely part of a crew similarly brimming with potential. If the A crew stumbles, expect Durham B to make a case for the medal conversion.

Newcastle University BC

Newcastle always boasts serious depth, but it looks as though they may have shuffled their deck this year. While their women’s championship coxed four finished sixth at last year’s BUCS Regatta, this new line-up appears to feature members of the victorious championship quad, including Harriet Taylor, Holly Youd and Rachel Bradley. All three women were also integral to the Newcastle University women’s first eight who were awarded the title of 2023/2024 British Rowing University Crew of the Year. With their first eight placing 12^th at the Women’s Head of the River this year, Newcastle’s form remains strong as ever. Add in the recent successes of both Youd and Bradley, who have both represented GB at the U23 World Rowing Championships, with Holly winning gold in the pair, plus Rachel newly setting a club record for the 5k ergo, we know that they will not be content with mid-table finishes. The question is: whilst highly successful last year, can they dominate an entirely new championship category at this year’s BUCS Regatta?

Edinburgh University BC

Crossing the Scottish border, Edinburgh seem to loom as the biggest threat. Following the end of last season where their women’s squad qualified three eights for Henley Royal Regatta, their focus has no doubt turned to maximising performance in slightly smaller boats. Having finished fourth in this event at both BUCS Head and Regatta, they will be hungry to finally step onto the podium. Much depends on whether their crew features members of the 14^th-place Women’s Head of the River eight, a ranking that made them the fourth-fastest university-eligible crew. Also, it should not be forgotten that Edinburgh put out the fastest women’s Band 1 and Band 2 fours at Rutherford Head this year. Nonetheless, if moving up the ranks could be exemplified in an individual, Katie Robertson, named in this crew, is the perfect example. From winning medals in beginner and development events at BUCS Regatta, she has now comfortably stepped into the championship ranks, and with a recent appearance at April Trials, will bring similar determination to this crew.

University of Birmingham BC

Looking further south, Birmingham faces something of a redemption arc. Despite obtaining a huge number of wins on the domestic racing circuit as a university club last year, they struggled at BUCS Head 2025 in the championship categories, finishing last in both the women’s championship coxed fours and women’s championship eights. However, with Katie Mole steering the ship this year, a consistent top-ten finisher at GB trials, plus a more encouraging Band 1 victory at Worcester Head in this category more recently, they may surprise.

Cambridge University BC

Cambridge enters with a typically strong line-up, bolstered by Blondie stroke, Caroline Rijske, who recently led her crew to a dominant four-length win over Oxford’s Osiris. After another victorious Boat Race season alongside strong Women’s Head of the River finishes (third and 16^th for their first and second boats respectively), Cambridge will be full of confidence going into BUCS. Although they placed fifth in this category last year, the momentum behind their programme suggests that a podium finish in this event could now be in reach.

Oxford University BC

Oxford enter the fray with the heavyweight presence of Dark Blue stroke Heidi Long, an Olympic bronze medallist with an impressive collection of 14 senior international medals. Although Oxford’s record in this boat class isn’t yet overwhelming, with a fourth-place finish in the aspirational academic coxless fours time trial at Henley Women’s Regatta last year, Long’s experience could be a game changer if she can galvanise the crew, and there is no question about whether the opportunity to challenge Cambridge yet again will play a factor.

Predictions

Before jumping into medal predictions, the other crews deserve mention. Imperial College, featuring the successful Laura Ellington and being fresh off a second-place finish in this category at BUCS Head, could pose a serious threat if they demonstrate consistency within the ranks, which they sometimes lack. St Andrews, who made club history with a bronze at BUCS Head in this event – their first championship medal in over a decade – could indeed punch above their weight again at the Regatta, especially if their medal-winning crew including Ava Giangrasso has remained intact. Lastly, Aberdeen, led by Ailin Zhang and fresh from a commanding win in this category and others at The Scottish Spring Regatta, also bring strong momentum and should not be underestimated.

Ultimately, in what promises to be one of the tightest races across the whole regatta, Durham have history which makes them the favourites to lead the charge. Cambridge and Edinburgh will be snapping at their heels, both armed with depth and recent successes. If Durham falter even in the absence of Oxford Brookes, either of these squads could capitalise on the opportunity. Meanwhile, Newcastle, with a retooled and ambitious crew, could well be the dark horse of the event – and if they hit their stride, could turn this race on its head.

About The Author

Darcie Summers

Darcie had a successful junior career both nationally and regionally. After winning women’s champ eights with LEH in 2019, she has now returned to the school as part of the coaching team. She has recently started writing for JRN to solidify her involvement with the rowing world.

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