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The EUBC squad in front of the University Boathouse

Exeter University Boat Club make waves at BUCS Victor Ludorum Regatta

Exeter University Boat Club (EUBC) have had another fantastic competition weekend, this time at the BUCS Regatta 2016 in Nottingham. The three day event saw the Exeter squad take 6th place in the overall Victor Ludorum.

The women’s lightweight 8 crew managed to secure an early gold medal, despite the fact that several members of the crew had never actually raced lightweight before. The team has trained hard throughout the academic year, and their dedication led them to compete with – and beat – the Oxford University lightweights, who previously won the Oxbridge Boat Race.

As Day 1 went on, the squad continued to produce high-ranking boats, picking up a silver medal and making it into the finals. The women ended the first day at the top of the Victor Ludorum rankings, with the men also doing well in 12th place. The squad had achieved one gold medal and two silvers, while four boats made it into the A finals and six crews into the B finals.

On Day 2, Exeter boats managed to finish in second and third places despite strong winds and lane disadvantages. The squad gained another silver medal and two bronze medals, with four other crews in the A finals and three in the B finals. Once again, the team finished the day at the top of the women’s Victor Ludorum and in 12th place again with the men.

Day 3 was more of a struggle for Exeter, and the University of London caught the women’s team right on the line to equal Exeter’s points total. However, the squad still managed a Gold medal, along with 3 A finalists and six B finalists.

Richard Tinkler, Exeter’s Director of Rowing, commented: “The weekend started fantastically and we continued to produce high-ranking boats as it went on. Most top squads have more athletes than us; some of our girls had to race up to 15 times over the weekend, so it really was a fabulous effort.”

Alongside the women’s high rankings, the men’s squad produced overall some of Exeter’s best overall performances.  Although the men’s single race is not usually Exeter’s forte, Cam Murray managed to win the B final. James Moran and James Claxton made it to the final of the lightweight men’s double race and held their own against U23 internationals, many of whom were medallists.

Overall, Exeter finished 6th in the Victor Ludorum table ahead of Durham, Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial College – a fantastic result for a comparatively small squad. With the men’s performances exceeding expectations and the women’s squad performing exceptionally well under the circumstances, Exeter really made its mark on the competition and finished the academic year on a high note.

Rowing is one of Exeter’s nine focus sports, and in the 2014/15 British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings the institution was ranked 7th for Rowing overall. The University of Exeter Sports Scholarship Scheme is one of the most prestigious in the UK, helping the best student athletes reach their full potential. The scheme provides a comprehensive support package and is tailored to suit the needs of each individual athlete. Many of our graduating scholars have progressed to a professional level in their chosen sport and represented their respective countries on the global stage.

The University of Exeter has been awarded The Times & The Sunday Times Good Universities Guide 2016 Sports University of the Year, following significant investment and development over the past 10 years. The University has also achieved a Global 100 ranking in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The prestigious rankings, which mean Exeter retains its position as best in the South West, take into account a wide range of factors, including student satisfaction and research excellence. 

Date: 23 May 2016

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