Cambridge University Boat Club – Men’s Trial Race Review

Cambridge University Boat Club Trial Eights race took place on calm Tideway waters but the racing was far from placid as the crews pushed each other across the Boat Race course in another great race.

In advance of the race, Trial Eights Umpire Matt Smith held the ‘Coin Toss’ where Coxes and Strokes of each crew call the toss of a coin to select a starting Station - ‘Burpees’ won and cox Ollie Boyne and stroke Ollie Parish chose Surrey.

It was a swift clean start to the race at 13:35 where President and cox, Charlie Marcus took ‘Mr Sleepy’ aggressively across the course to push ‘Burpees’ off their line. Along the line of boats ‘Mr Sleepy’ took 1/3 length over ‘Burpees’. Maintaining their poise ‘Burpees’ pushed back to draw level. At one point the crews came together, Umpire Matt Smith warned and the crews responded and moving apart quickly.

‘Burpees’ coxed by Ollie Boyne and stroked by Ollie Parish maintained their rate of 34 and took a small lead approaching Harrods. The crews overlapped blades and clashed as the crews came into the start of the Surrey bend. Coming out from under Hammersmith Bridge ‘Burpees’ took the lead and from there maintained their position. As the crews raced along Chiswick Ayot, ‘Burpees’ continued to lead, with grit and dogged attacking from ‘Mr Sleepy’. Coming under Barnes Bridge, ‘Burpees’ were 2 lengths in the lead and maintained this over the final stages of the course.


President Charlie Marcus who coxed Me Sleepy said following the race,

‘It was great to be back on the Tideway, and we're thankful to BRCL for managing to run T8s under such challenging conditions. I think we got some valuable feedback today, and there were some great performances under race pressure. From a personal perspective, I just wish my boat had won!’

Rob Baker said,

'Both crews showed a lot of grit and determination, and especially in the winning boat, good race craft. While a tighter margin might have been nice, the margin showed that the winning crew was able to recognise an opportunity and capitalise on it. I'm looking forward to working with the guys in the New Year to build a Boat Race winning boat.'

The 2021 Trial Races delivered excitement, clashes and impressive performances from both crews – a great way to end the first phase of the build-up to The 2022 Gemini Boat Race on Sunday April 3rd.