BUCS Regatta is finally here. After several months of training in the cold and wet winter, crews now have a chance to showcase their speed against other universities. With over fifty entrants, the Women’s Intermediate Quad is likely to be one of the most hotly contested events at this year’s BUCS regatta, making it one event that is definitely not to miss.
Reading University Boat Club
Reading are easily the top university sculling program in the country at the moment and have entered three quads into this event. Reading were utterly dominant at BUCS Head earlier this year, winning both the Open and Women’s Championship and Inter Quads. Their performance in the Women’s Inter Quads was particularly impressive, winning by nearly a full minute. They placed third in this event last year, but given their strength and depth throughout the whole squad this season, I would expect their top boat to go at least one better on Saturday.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle have entered four boats and are the defending champions in this event, but they will have their work cut out if they want to retain their title. With at least one returning member from last year’s victorious crew, they will certainly know what it takes to get the win, but I’m not sure they will have the speed to be able to compete with Reading. Based on results from BUCS Head, it would appear that their second intermediate quad placed fourth overall, well over a minute behind Reading. Whilst I would expect their first boat to be a bit quicker, that is a significant deficit and possibly one that is too large to overturn.
Durham University Boat Club
Durham have entered two crews which appear to be made up of members of their second eight. Like Newcastle, two of their crews made the A Final at last year’s BUCS Regatta. They did not race at BUCS Head earlier this year so their speed is a little unknown compared to everyone else but they did race at WEHoRR, coming away as the fifth fastest second university eight. This result would suggest that they may be slightly off the pace this year, but I would not count them out just yet.
University of Birmingham Boat Club
Birmingham placed second behind Reading at BUCS Head earlier this year and will be looking to get back on the podium in this event at BUCS Regatta having won bronze in 2023. Whilst the margin to Reading is perhaps a little too large to overhaul, I would expect them to be quite close to Durham and Newcastle in terms of speed and they should make the A Final if they have continued to progress since BUCS Head.
Other Entries
Other entrants this year include Bath University Boat Club, who placed third at BUCS Head earlier this year and won this event in 2023. However, they were a little way off the pace at last year’s regatta. Another club with perhaps a rather disappointing performance at last year’s event is Edinburgh University Boat Club. They have been at or near the top of student women’s rowing for a long time now and, with Lily Young on board, who has previously rowed in their first eight, I see no reason as to why they cannot make the A Final. Behind Bath, Loughborough University Boat Club and Queen’s University Boat Club were separated by just one second at BUCS Head so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top over the shorter distance.
Prediction
On paper, this would appear to be Reading’s regatta to lose. Based on previous results, I would expect their first boat to win comfortably and their second boat has a great chance of making the A Final. Behind them, it is likely to be a battle between Newcastle and Durham for the silver medal position.
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