Busy Weekend for all Four Clubs

Several crews from all four Boat Race squads were in action either side of the Atlantic Ocean last weekend. Cambridge & Oxford’s men and women’s squads sent crews to the British Senior Championships in Nottingham, whilst CUBC also made their annual trip to the Head of the Charles to test their speed against the best stateside boats.

Steered by returning Blue Ian Middleton, Cambridge navigated the winding Charles river to finish fifth in their category. Their opposition included development crews from the US national team and Danish Rowing Federation. Under the name of Goldie, CUBC also boated a four on the Saturday of the British Championships. The crew finished fourth overall in Open Coxless Fours.

Oxford University Boat Club sent two fours to compete against the best of the available domestic opposition on the Saturday of the British Championships, and came away with a very impressive gold and bronze in open coxless fours. The winning crew contained three former Blues, including 2017 OUBC President Michael DiSanto.

Their women’s squad boated two eights under new head coach Ali Williams, finishing fourth and 13th overall in Women’s Eights.

Cambridge’s women’s squad had a more successful weekend, boating three fours on the Saturday and three eights the following day. They came away with a gold and bronze in Women’s Coxless Fours; the winning crew contained two returning Blues. On the Sunday, their top crew set a new university eight record, finishing second in Women’s Eights overall behind a very powerful Leander boat. The other two crews finished first and third respectively in the ‘B’ final.

The 163rd Boat Race and The 72nd Women’s Boat Race will take place on Sunday 2nd April 2017. The Cancer Research UK Women’s Boat Race will start at 16:35, with The Cancer Research UK Boat Race an hour later at 17:35.