The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race sponsored by Xchanging

Studied for a five year degree in Chemical Engineering in France and graduated in 2005. Specialised in water treatment and environmental processes last year so his studies in Oxford are ideal with a political and economics element to add to his engineering knowledge. Learnt to row at “L’Aviron Toulousain” Club in France, aged 10. His parents had an apartment just 300m from the club. In his early years at the club he coxed a lot before making the senior team for rowing. Aged 16 went to the National Centre of Excellence for Rowing to train and study at the same time. Was an Olympic finalist in the eight with the French squad in 2004 and also competed at the World Rowing Championships in 2005. Has previously competed at World champs and world cups in coxed and coxless fours for France. Was a World U23 bronze medallist in 1999 and 2000 in the men’s four and a world junior silver medallist in 1997, also in a four. Has a younger brother, Benjamin, who started rowing two years ago. Should he gain a seat in the Blue Boat in 2006 he will, it is thought, be the first Frenchman to have competed in the Boat Race.