BUCS Head 2022 Race Report
The club travelled down to Newcastle last week for BUCS Head, and the first racing of 2022. After a still, sunny, flat and very un-Tyne-like pre paddle on the Friday evening, it was race day.
The first crew down the course was the Women’s Int 8+, who produced a strong, confident row despite late crew changes due to illness. It was the first time on the Tyne for most of the crew, however they navigated the course well to produce a strong 8th place finish. Next came the Men’s Int 4x, who also raced well to place 9th and to finish inside the top 10 of a packed and competitive entry field. The two Men’s Int 4+ crews made up the reminder of the morning division for St Andrews, and it was an important learning experience. A first senior race for some, and a chance to get to know the course and conditions for all.
In the afternoon the crews were reversed, with a Men’s Int 8+, Women’s Int 4x and two Women’s 4+ racing. The Men’s 8+ battled the change in conditions, struggling to find their form but still producing a strong row for a relatively-inexperienced crew in a busy event. The Women’s 4x raced well, with a strong second half of the race to place 6th. The Women’s fours also produced good results, coming in at 7th and 13th, ahead of top crews from other universities and confirming Top 15 positions for all of the Women’s Squad across the weekend.
It was good to get out on the water amongst other universities for the first time this year, and we came away with lots to take forward into the rest of the Head season.
