Wednesday Reviews
Oxford Brookes Univ. ‘B’ v Bath Univ.
With half of this Oxford Brookes crew winning the aspirational eights at Henley Women’s Regatta and Bath being knocked out on the Saturday, one could have expected this to be a walkover. Bath were having none of it, firing out the blocks and rating higher down the whole course, with a strong push through Remenham to produce the smallest gap of a quarter of a length. But Oxford Brookes know how to win, and win they did – sitting in their relentless rhythm, staying calm and loose despite the continual pressure, stretching out to a length lead by the line.
Univ. of St. Andrews v Edinburgh Univ. ‘C’
A race to remember for both universities, with this being the first ever St. Andrew’s women’s crew qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta, and the Edinburgh crew full of athletes who learnt to row this year, rounding out their 2nd year with three boats in this event. After a clean start, it was the development crew from Edinburgh with the early lead, but some weaving down the course gave St. Andrews the chance to attack in the middle stages, pulling level. The greater experience of St Andrews began to show as their consistent rhythm kept them walking away to cross the line two lengths ahead.
Univ. of London ‘B’ v Durham Univ. ‘B’
With similar results all year, and both reaching the semifinals of the aspirational eights at Henley Women’s Regatta last weekend, this battle of the B boats was set up to be a great one. Durham were cleaner off the start, but it was UL who got out to an early lead, settling into a more effective rhythm to stretch out to a length. Durham didn’t let up, but UL were in control, not launching a full sprint. Impressive for a B boat to make it this far, and they’ll know they have more for tomorrow against the unknown of the Dutch crew.
Thursday Previews
G. S. R. Aegir, NED v Oxford Univ. ‘A’
Knocked out by Oxford Brookes on the Friday last year, Oxford University will be looking to equal or advance on this result. It is Groninger Studenten Roeivereniging Aegir, one of three seeded Dutch crews, who stand in their way. A mix of Blue Boat and Osiris athletes, Oxford controlled their race against Surrey to advance in the regatta, but it’s Aegir with greater experience on the course as most of this crew raced last year. They will be back with a vengeance after losing to Durham on the Thursday, and the Stewards seem to back their speed with prequalification and a seeded position.
Oxford Brookes Univ. ‘A’ v Edinburgh Univ. ‘A’
Edinburgh will have a point to prove after being overlooked for seeding by the stewards, but they’re up against tough opposition in Oxford Brookes, the dominant force in this event. Edinburgh looked sharp off the start as they put away Oxford ‘B’ today, and both crews had similar results at BUCS and Met, as Brookes entered their true top 8 into the Bridge. These exact combinations have never raced, so it’s anyone’s to play for, but I would back Oxford Brookes in an event that they have essentially dominated since its inception in 2021.
Rutgers University ‘A’, USA v Univ. of London ‘A’
After an incredible run to the semi-final last year, University of London will be looking to go one day further, and I believe are in a position to do so, if they can get through this relatively unknown crew from Rutgers. UL have had an impressive season, taking silver at BUCS and the fastest Island eligible crew at Met. But Rutgers have shown up so far in this regatta, with this boat taking a dominant win over Newcastle ‘B’, maintaining a high rate and sharp rhythm down the course. I’d expect some serious speed from the first Rutgers women’s crews to make the trip across the pond, and that they have delivered, already setting a new course record to Fawley. UL have their work cut out for them.
