Trial Eights Date Set For December

Both Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs will be braving the elements of the Thames in mid-December to compete in the annual Trial Eights, one of the key rowing events of The Boat Race season.

Each squad will form two Trial Eights to race over the traditional Championship course as part of the selection process for The Boat Race. These trials offer those sixteen oarsmen and two coxes the chance to experience The Boat Race course, as the two Eights race the 4 1/4 miles from the University Stone that marks the starting point in Putney to the Finishing Post at Mortlake.

Coaches Sean Bowden (Oxford) and Steve Trapmore (Cambridge) who will be choosing their Trial Eights crews in early December, will have the opportunity to witness their squads under the pressures of Race conditions: giving them further ideas as to who is coming on the best, who is most adept to handle the Tideway conditions and ultimately, who might win the coveted Blue Boat seats.

CUBC will be racing at 1.15pm on Tuesday 13 December 2011 and OUBC will compete at 2.30pm.