The dark blues of Oxford University Boat Club took each other on over the Championship Course on the second day of Trial Eights.

In the Women’s ‘A’ race the contest was initially quite evenly matched between Ledecky and Williams. Both crews boasted considerable experience in the stern. Ledecky was stroked by Women’s President and Olympic medallist Heidi Long and coxed by last year’s Men’s President Louis Corrigan, who has switched to the women’s squad after three seasons with the men. Meanwhile Williams had the benefit of last year’s Women’s President Annie Anezakis at stroke and 2025 Women’s Blue Boat cox Daniel Orton.

Umpire Clare Harvey busy from the outset and had to stop the race opposite Fulham Football Ground after a clash took caused Williams’ two seat Amelia Mills to catch a crab. After the restart, Ledecky, who had already been a third of a length up, gradually pulled away, achieving clear water by Hammersmith Bridge. The verdict at the finish line was five lengths.

The women’s ‘B’ race involving Oxford’s lightweights and other openweight athletes saw Biles triumph over Kildunne by three and a half lengths.

Williams (right) fight to keep in contact with Ledecky after the Mile Post.

Oxford Men’s Head Coach Mark Fangen-Hall had been forced to make a number of late changes to his crews due to illness and injury. The resulting line-ups turned out to be less evenly matched than is usual with Iceman quickly pulling away from Maverick after the first few strokes. The verdict was seven lengths at the end and Iceman, coxed by Men’s President and 2025 blue Tobias Bernard and stroked by GB international Harry Geffen, spent most of the course at rating 26. Maverick was stroked by Carter Dickinson and coxed by Jess Ward.

In the closest race of the day, the men’s ‘B’ race between the lightweights and openweights in Rooster and Hangman saw Rooster won by one and a third lengths.

Maverick (left) and Iceman off the start.