Oxford University Women’s Boat Club Trial Race Report
Oxford’s trial eights this year were named ‘Speed’ and ‘Style’, paying tribute to the first ever women’s boat race in 1927, where the crews were judged on the aesthetics of their rowing styles rather than their athletic strength. In a situation where crews tied, the winner would then be decided by the speed of the crews.
With some fantastic conditions for racing, events got underway with the umpire’s briefing and the coin toss for racing stations. 'Style' called the toss but 'Speed' won, with cox Charlotte Grayson selecting the Surrey station for her crew in the first win of the day.
Both crews set off strongly from the start, with 'Speed' taking a slight lead. They drew together soon after the start with the umpire warning both crews to separate. 'Style' used their position on the Middlesex station well and maintained their slight advantage past Barn Elms and towards the mile post but a determined 'Speed' continued to refuse their opposition an advantage from the Surrey station.
At the Mile post, 'Style' led 'Speed' by ⅓ length.
With the crews dead level coming under Hammersmith Bridge, 'Speed' took the initiative and after a gritty, patient section of racing to Hammersmith, took the lead by 1 seat for the first time in the race. As the crews continued past St Paul’s however, 'Style' retaliated with a push of their own on the outside of the bend and took back a lead of around one seat.
At the end of the island, 'Style' led 'Speed' by ¼ length.
With both crews still in with a chance of glory after 12 minutes of racing, the crews come together and clash, with the 'Style' crew recovering better and increasing their lead coming past the bandstand and into their advantage.
Style with just over a length advantage into Barnes Bridge, still closely chased by a hungry 'Speed' crew, who have yet to let off and give the opposition time to breath.
At Barnes Bridge, 'Style' led 'Speed' by just over a length.
'Speed' threw everything at 'Style' in the last section of the race, closing the gap on their opposition, but it was too late for them to make up the ground with 'Style' maintaining a strong rhythm and holding them off through the line.
A brilliant race from both crews, with neither letting up until the finish line. 'Style' crossed the line first, beating 'Speed' by little more than 1 length.
With some fantastic conditions for racing, events got underway with the umpire’s briefing and the coin toss for racing stations. 'Style' called the toss but 'Speed' won, with cox Charlotte Grayson selecting the Surrey station for her crew in the first win of the day.
Both crews set off strongly from the start, with 'Speed' taking a slight lead. They drew together soon after the start with the umpire warning both crews to separate. 'Style' used their position on the Middlesex station well and maintained their slight advantage past Barn Elms and towards the mile post but a determined 'Speed' continued to refuse their opposition an advantage from the Surrey station.
At the Mile post, 'Style' led 'Speed' by ⅓ length.
With the crews dead level coming under Hammersmith Bridge, 'Speed' took the initiative and after a gritty, patient section of racing to Hammersmith, took the lead by 1 seat for the first time in the race. As the crews continued past St Paul’s however, 'Style' retaliated with a push of their own on the outside of the bend and took back a lead of around one seat.
At the end of the island, 'Style' led 'Speed' by ¼ length.
With both crews still in with a chance of glory after 12 minutes of racing, the crews come together and clash, with the 'Style' crew recovering better and increasing their lead coming past the bandstand and into their advantage.
Style with just over a length advantage into Barnes Bridge, still closely chased by a hungry 'Speed' crew, who have yet to let off and give the opposition time to breath.
At Barnes Bridge, 'Style' led 'Speed' by just over a length.
'Speed' threw everything at 'Style' in the last section of the race, closing the gap on their opposition, but it was too late for them to make up the ground with 'Style' maintaining a strong rhythm and holding them off through the line.
A brilliant race from both crews, with neither letting up until the finish line. 'Style' crossed the line first, beating 'Speed' by little more than 1 length.
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