Saturday Reviews
University of London ‘A’ v University of Bristol
The early crowds gathering for the start of Saturday racing were rewarded with a corker for the second race of the day. Throughout the week, both the University of Bristol and the University of London have proved themselves to be well-drilled and competitive. However, the University of Bristol hasn’t beaten the University of London this season in the coxed fours, and knew it would require something special to progress to Sunday. Unperturbed by their underdog status, they took the race by the horns, blasting off the start. At the Barrier, Bristol led by three-quarters of a length, and it looked like we were on for the first upset of the day. However, they could not snap the elastic and break free of the University of London, who once again demonstrated their strength through the middle section of the course, moving to level at the three-quarter mile and leading by half a length at Remenham. Bristol had one last big push, upping their rate to 40 at the Mile despite a stiff headwind. But their early sprint was not enough. University of London responded and, in front of rapturous applause from the Stewards enclosure, took the win by a length and a quarter. The Bristol boys raced brilliantly, but ultimately could not match the power of the University of London, who now turn their attention to Sunday.
Newcastle University v Edinburgh University
The second semifinal of The Prince Albert kicked off a mere twenty minutes after the conclusion of the first, meaning Newcastle and Edinburgh faced similarly blustery conditions for their semifinal. Off the start, it looked like we were in for another tense battle, with Newcastle taking a slight edge to lead by a mere three feet. That was the last time they’d have their bowball in front, though, with Edinburgh stretching out to a third of a length lead at the Barrier and gaining clear water by Fawley. From there to the Stewards enclosure, Edinburgh appeared comfortable, underrating Newcastle but not needing to crank out an extra gear. At the Grandstand, they looked to have the race wrapped up. However, the blue star boys put in a phenomenal sprint, rapidly closing the gap to a third of a length in front of screaming supporters urging their boys to pull off a miracle. Despite their heroic efforts, Edinburgh’s lead proved impassable, and they sprinted into Sunday, chased all the way.
Final Preview
University of London ‘A’ v Edinburgh University
The Prince Albert Challenge Cup has been one of the most compelling events of the regatta. We’ve known since Wednesday that there would be a different champion in 2025 than in 2024, but despite the ups and downs, it is no surprise that the University of London ‘A’ meets Edinburgh University in the final. Edinburgh University has improved as the season has progressed, building from a fourth-place finish at BUCS regatta to third on the Saturday of Metropolitan Regatta, to second at Marlow. However, they are yet to beat UL, who won each of the aforementioned regattas. Tomorrow, though, is the one that really matters. Today, racing 25 minutes apart, with both crews pushed the whole way down the course, there were just two seconds between their finishing times. Both crews have shown they don’t have to be up off the start to walk through to a win, but come the final, I’d expect having the momentum off the start will be crucial. With both crews so closely matched and with similar racing tactics, this could be bowball to bowball to bowball down the course.
