Biggest BUCS Regatta yet
A record of number of 1071 entries have been made from 71 Universities for the 2014 BUCS Regatta, which will be held at the National Water sports Centre, Nottingham, over the bank holiday weekend.
Starting with time trials every morning and culminating with Championship level finals, there will be three full days of racing for students of all abilities.
One event with a massive increase in entries is the Women’s Intermediate Eights, which will see 36 crews taking part and promises to provide some very close racing. By contrast, the Championship category will feature just seven entries, but all with a huge amount of pedigree.
Some of the most competitive racing is expected to take place in the smallest of boats, with entries for the Championship single sculls looking very strong. On the women’s side, London 2012 Olympian Mel Wilson will look to retain her BUCS gold from 2013 but will face strong opposition from Jo Wratten from Teeside who won silver last year and then went on to win a silver medal at the World U23 Rowing Championships.
On the men’s side Jack Beaumont who finished 5th at the recent GB Rowing Team Senior & U23 Trials will represent London and face competition from Stewart Innes who finished 10th and also Karl Hudspith, who was part of this year’s victorious dark blue boat at the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
Fiona Rennie, Chairman of the BUCS Rowing Advisory Group said: “I’m really excited, as always, and really inspired. In a year of financial hardship and truly horrible weather for rowers, it is a real testament to the spirit of the University Rowing community that we have more crews racing from more Universities than ever.
“It’s a massive team effort on the organising side, and a big thanks to all who have been working away behind the scenes – we couldn’t do it without a lot of support!”
A full list of entries can be seen at www.bucs.org.uk/calendar_popup.asp?itemid=12898&surround=true and results will be posted on the website at the end of each day.
For photos, results and the latest news throughout the weekend, keep an eye on the Britchamps and British Rowing Facebook pages.
