Oxford University Boat Club Trial Eights Review
The day dawned misty, and for a moment it seemed the Oxford Men’s Trial VIII’s race might be fogbound. Luckily by the time the crews took to the water at 12.20pm the sky had cleared, ready for some calm conditions and a great race.
This was the first time we had seen the Oxford squad of talented rowers and scullers this Boat Race season, including some Olympians in both boats, with a real strength and depth throughout.
At 13.00, the race set off quickly, with Rohan on the Middlesex station, stroked by Charlie Elwes and Gondor on the Surrey station, with Tassilo von Mueller in the stroke seat. Rohan took an early lead of about a third of a length, as cox Jack Tottem encouraged his boat into the lead, on the less favourable station. Some aggressive coxing followed, with Rohan pushing Gondor into their dirty water, taking them to three quarters of a length by Fulham flats. The blades got perilously close to clashing as they passed Harrod’s Repository and turned towards Hammersmith Bridge.
However, the race was very much still on at this point. The white sleeved Gondor athletes crept their way back towards Rohan as they swept under Hammersmith Bridge, rating 35 as cox Olly Perry continued to ensure Rohan was really challenged round this long bend.
At half-way, as the bend unwound, Rohan remained in the lead, and with a burst pressed on to over a length lead and clear water. By Barnes Bridge, Rohan extended their lead with a couple of minutes to go, keeping their bladework nice and clean. Gondor kept the chase on right until the final few strokes approaching Chiswick bridge, but the race was won by around one and a quarter lengths by Rohan.
A really competitive race throughout and a great start to the 2022 Trial VIII’s.
This was the first time we had seen the Oxford squad of talented rowers and scullers this Boat Race season, including some Olympians in both boats, with a real strength and depth throughout.
At 13.00, the race set off quickly, with Rohan on the Middlesex station, stroked by Charlie Elwes and Gondor on the Surrey station, with Tassilo von Mueller in the stroke seat. Rohan took an early lead of about a third of a length, as cox Jack Tottem encouraged his boat into the lead, on the less favourable station. Some aggressive coxing followed, with Rohan pushing Gondor into their dirty water, taking them to three quarters of a length by Fulham flats. The blades got perilously close to clashing as they passed Harrod’s Repository and turned towards Hammersmith Bridge.
However, the race was very much still on at this point. The white sleeved Gondor athletes crept their way back towards Rohan as they swept under Hammersmith Bridge, rating 35 as cox Olly Perry continued to ensure Rohan was really challenged round this long bend.
At half-way, as the bend unwound, Rohan remained in the lead, and with a burst pressed on to over a length lead and clear water. By Barnes Bridge, Rohan extended their lead with a couple of minutes to go, keeping their bladework nice and clean. Gondor kept the chase on right until the final few strokes approaching Chiswick bridge, but the race was won by around one and a quarter lengths by Rohan.
A really competitive race throughout and a great start to the 2022 Trial VIII’s.
Watch Highlights:
Trial VIIIs action from the Oxford men, Dec 2021