Fresh off their success at the Boat Race, CUBC were aiming for triumph in the 2023 BUCS Regatta which was a chance to prove themselves to a host of opponents across the UK.

Cambridge took advantage of the fantastic conditions in Nottingham and the total medal tally was four golds, six silvers and four bronzes; putting Cambridge fourth overall in the overall standings, known as the Victor Ludorum. Impressive performances were seen across the board and the inclusion of this year’s development squad in the racing indicates CUBC are in for another promising year.

Their success started on Saturday when lightweights Harry Fieldhouse, Gianluca Vartan, Ben Jones and Lewis Grey put out a very impressive performance with a powerful start in the coxless four final, giving Cambridge an early lead. Determined to regain their lead after defeat in the boat race, a stubborn Oxford significantly increased their rate, passing Edinburgh and swiftly making gains on the crew. However, the four Cambridge athletes remained strong under pressure and retained their unshakeable lead, winning by open water.

Sunday saw a stacked field in the men’s championship lightweight doubles with Harry Fieldhouse and Thomas Heppel beaten for silver in a dramatic sprint finish with Nottingham. The pair competed again in the intermediate category on Monday, beating Ben Jones and Lewis Gray for gold in another gripping finish which gave Cambridge a dominating 1-2 finish.

The women also had some incredibly strong performances, winning most of Cambridge’s medals and executing a 2nd place finish in their Victor Ludorum.

On Saturday, the intermediate doubles saw two Cambridge crews battling it out for silver. Hanna Prince and Rosa Millard were victorious with Molly Foxell and Gemma King claiming the bronze. Carina Graf and Isabelle Bastian also achieved bronze in the championship doubles, finishing only a few lengths behind Durham whose pair were the winners of the U23 GB Trials earlier this month.

The highlight of the event came from the women’s championship quad final. The crew of Rose Millard, Freya Keto, Isabella Bastian and Claire Brillon were in bronze coming into the last 500m but not satisfied with just a podium finish, the women dug deep and went for gold. Reading and Newcastle were unable to match the power and determination of the Cambridge crew and, despite the women all having raced in other events throughout the day, the Light Blues were victorious in an outstanding display of mental and physical fortitude.

Cambridge success did not end there and Sunday brought two silvers in the singles, Gemma King in the lightweight category and a photo finish by Freya Keto in the openweight, as well as a bronze in the lightweight four of Livia Lisi Vega, Annabel Cardno, Olivia Alliott and Madeline Jackson.

The final day of the regatta delivered an impressive win in a strong calibre field for the Blondie athletes in the intermediate coxed four of Molly Foxell, Gemma King, Hanna Price, Iris Powell and cox Emily Parry. They managed to hold their advantage gained from a quick start throughout the course, fending off Bristol who put on a surge of power in the last 500m. The championship fours raced back-to-back, with Jenna Armstrong, Carina Graf and Isabelle Bastian competing in both. Joined by Freya Keto and cox Kate Crowley in the 4+ and Rose Millard in the 4-, they achieved another two silver medals, adding to the overall Cambridge tally.

Spurred on by their successful performance at BUCS, the crews will now be beginning their preparations for Henley, the next big event in the rowing calendar.