Henley Royal Regatta is less than two weeks away, and Marlow Regatta presents crews with their final regatta before the big one. The multi-lane event at Dorney will be fierce as every crew wants to test their speed and make their mark as the crew to watch. As spectators, we can see how crews fare against each other before The Britannia and Prince Albert Challenge Cup.
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club
With what looks to be their Prince Albert crew, Oxford Brookes University Boat Club are a strong contender to win at Henley Royal Regatta. However, with other competitors at the Marlow Regatta, it poses a real challenge for these athletes to emerge victorious. At the Metropolitan Regatta, they took second place on Saturday but dropped to eighth on Sunday. With the mix of results, they can only hope their recent camp at Wimbleball has helped give them the speed they need.
University of London Boat Club
Following an impressive season so far, including a win on the Saturday at the Metropolitan Regatta, the University of London Boat Club has proven itself as a force to be reckoned with. BUCS saw them claim gold in the open championship coxed four, securing their place as the top university crew in the UK. They will be eager to extend their winning streak this weekend.
Thames Rowing Club
Always a name to watch out for, Thames Rowing Club will show their speed with two crews entered. The Metropolitan Regatta saw them have a tough time, with the crews picking up fifth and sixth on Saturday and third and fourth on Sunday. Perhaps showing a different level of endurance than other crews, they will surely have taken the lessons from that contest at the turn of the month and will be looking to test it one final time at Marlow before Henley Royal Regatta.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Edinburgh University Boat Club showed good results at the Metropolitan Regatta, claiming third, then second. With the good progression of results and top-three finishes on both days, their results in the coxed four at the Metropolitan Regatta are the best of any club. This display of capability will no doubt be enhanced by their recent ten-day camp at Loch Oich, where they have worked hard for the Marlow Regatta. I look forward to seeing what they can do.
University of Bristol Boat Club
University of Bristol Boat Club has bounced back after a fifth-place finish in the open championship coxed four at BUCS Regattae. The Metropolitan Regatta saw them take fourth, then seventh, claiming the win in the academic category. They will look to extend this work into Marlow Regatta, where eyes will be on a top ten finish.
Predictions
Marlow will produce some tight racing and perhaps upsetting results. I feel confident that the University of London Boat Club will win, with Edinburgh University Boat Club behind them. Oxford Brookes University Boat Club will take third, followed closely by both Thames Rowing Club crews, leaving the University of Bristol Boat Club just behind them.
