The Women’s Championship Doubles at BUCS Regatta is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested events of the weekend. Racing over two kilometres at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham this Saturday, margins are expected to be tight, with just a couple of seconds likely separating the medallists. With a field full of national and international experience, expect close racing from some of the UK’s top university rowers.
Reading University Boat Club
2025 marks ten years of Reading University Boat Club’s unique sculling-only program, which has seen them become a dominant force in university rowing and they are arriving in Nottingham as clear favourites. After securing gold across the board at BUCS Head in both Championship and Intermediate quads and as the reigning BUCS Regatta champions in the Women’s Doubles, their sculling achievements are unmatched. This year, they are fielding three strong crews led by standout athletes Megan Knight, Ellie Cooke and Shannon Whelehan. Cooke and Knight were selected for the U23 World Championships in 2024 and went on to win bronze in their quad, and all three athletes had successful performances at GB trials in the U23 category: Cooke finishing fourth, Knight seventh and Whelehan 16th. With their depth and experience, it will take something special to beat Reading this weekend.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle’s strength across the board this season has been clear with their 1st V coming 12th at Women’s Eights Head of the River Race (WEHoRR) and leaving BUCS Head as the overall Victor Ludorum winners in 2025. Their Women’s Championship Double will include Lucy Webber, who finished fourth in the U21 category at GB Trials in November and was part of Newcastle’s championship quad which won silver at BUCS Head. With major wins already this season, Newcastle will be looking to maintain this momentum into BUCS Regatta. They will be aiming to put the pressure on Reading down the course.
University of Birmingham Boat Club
Led by Kathryn Mole, Birmingham’s entry is one to watch closely. Mole was dominant during indoor championships, taking first at BUCS Indoors in the Championship Women’s category and carried that form onto the water with top seven finishes at both GB November and February trials. Birmingham claimed bronze in this event at BUCS Regatta 2024, and with Mole in the boat again, they’ll be aiming to step onto the podium once more, if not a few steps higher.
University of Bath Boat Club
Bath came agonisingly close to BUCS gold last year, finishing just three seconds behind Reading in the Women’s Championship Doubles final. This year, they will be back with serious intent. The double will include Ella Fullman and likely Rebekah Court. The pair reached the semi-finals of Henley Women’s Regatta, Qualified for the Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta, and won at the British Championships. With both athletes consistently placing in the top ten at GB trials, Bath will be looking for redemption. Their proven speed, especially after their fourth-place finish at BUCS Head, makes them serious contenders for a top-three finish.
Other entries
Durham, Edinburgh and Cambridge make up the remainder of this close draw. Durham may be one to watch, featuring Ella Darrington, who stroked Durham’s Women’s Championship four to silver at BUCS head and was part of their top boat at WEHoRR. Edinburgh University Boat Club will be led by Hannah Supple, who represented GB at the U23 rowing championships in Bulgaria in 2023. After narrowly missing the A final last year, they will be determined to make their mark in this year’s event. Cambridge University Boat Club will include Phoebe Pryce, who raced as part of the spare pair with women’s president Lucy Havard. Following their hugely successful clean sweep in this year’s Boat Race, Cambridge will hope to carry forward their winning momentum into BUCS.
Predictions
Reading University Boat Club’s depth and dominance make them the clear favourites for gold. Bath look set to push them the hardest, while Birmingham could very well claim bronze. However, margins in this event are typically small, and with so many talented athletes across the field, nothing is guaranteed. Expect fast racing, fierce competitions, and some surprises along the way.
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