The Irish regatta season is well underway, and this weekend, Trinity regatta takes centre stage on the Islandbridge stretch of the River Liffey in Dublin. With several key bends to navigate on this course of 1800m, steering will be crucial. In the women’s coxed four event, the coxes will ensure their crew gets down safely and with the quickest line. Let’s have a look at the contenders for this four-boat event.
Neptune RC
The locals across the river from the Trinity boathouse, Neptune’s women’s squad have enjoyed earlier success this season with wins in the club eight at Skibbereen regatta and in the intermediate coxed four at Neptune regatta, held on the same course as this weekend’s racing. All four ladies of this crew rowed in that crew, whilst Laura Brownand Nell Allison were a part of the successful club eight. Miriam Kelly and Orla O’Loughlin complete the line-up.
UCD/Old Collegians
Another local club, the women of UCD join forces with their alumni to boat what looks like a strong lineup. The familiar names of Alison and Sarah Daly in bow and stroke, respectively, will ensure a chunky racing rhythm, vital for a coxed four. In the middle pair, the experienced powerful oarswomen Breanna Larson and Claire Martin bring the watts to make this crew one of the leading contenders for the win in this event. Martin was also a part of the crew that beat Neptune in the senior coxless four at Skibbereen Regatta.
Trinity College Dublin
The regatta hosts complete the final two contenders of this event. They bring strong form in the coxed four, having won the intermediate category at the university championships. Three of those successful women make up the ‘A’ crew this weekend. Joining them will be Jennifer Forde, who finished third to her crewmates as part of Trinity B and will relish the opportunity to row in the ‘A’ crew at her club’s regatta. The B crew consists of second years Caoimhe Keller and Isobelle Howley, who, alongside Sarah Tavey, will look to get closer to their ‘A’ crew following their third place a few weeks ago. Completing the lineup is Annie Moore, who finished second in both the club coxed four and club eight at the university championships. Both crews will also compete in the intermediate category, so they must manage several races throughout the day.
Prediction
With all four crews no stranger to this course, all coxes should not have issues with steering, and it will be down to their crew’s strength and skill to cross the line first. Neptune and Trinity A bring winning experience in the coxed four to the table, making them likely to comprise the lineup for the final, but Trinity’s crews are doubling up in the intermediate category, so recovery between several races will be key. Keep an eye also on the power that the UCD/Old Collegians composite will have in their boat, and that they will also be racing in one event at the regatta, so bring fresh legs.
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