OUBC Postpone Trial VIIIs

The Oxford University Boat Club has postponed its Trial VIIIs that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18th December. This decision has been taken due to illness within the squad.

Sean Bowden, Chief Coach OUBC: “In the last week the squad has been hit by a wave of illness that has affected a significant number of rowers. Up to this point the Trial VIIIs boats have been preparing with substitutes from outside the team to try and get ready for the race. The problem has been compounded by the fact that the large majority of those unable to row are all on the same side of the boat.”

“Further recent incidents of illness along with a couple of injuries have taken the squad number to below 16. With several of these rowers still not fully recovered, the coaching staff did not want to take the risk of racing with athletes not in good health. Furthermore, there seemed to be little value in holding the race with a number of substitutes from outside the squad in the boats in what would have been largely scratch and untested crews.”

“Trial VIIIs is an important part of the team’s preparation for The 2014 BNY Mellon Boat Race so this is not a decision made lightly. The coaches will look to reschedule the race for some time in the New Year once the team has returned from training camp. All the rowers are expected to make a full recovery.”

David Searle, Executive Director of The Boat Race Company Ltd: “It is a great shame that OUBC are unable to boat two crews on Wednesday due to illness. We are fortunate that this has happened for Trial VIIIs, as it is always possible to reschedule the race for another date. If it had occurred in Tideway week, we would have expected Oxford to boat two crews for The BNY Mellon Boat Race and for the Isis/Goldie Race, come what may, injury or illness notwithstanding. My sympathies to those who are ill and I wish them all a speedy recovery.”

The Cambridge University Boat Club Trial will still take place as scheduled on Wednesday at 13:25. The press launch will embark at 12.50 and follow the trial as planned.