Cambridge Women’s Trial VIIIs Report

Cambridge University Boat Club Trial Eights race took place on calm waters on Thursday 6th of January.

The crews, Woody and Buzz, named after Head Coach Paddy’s dogs, put on a great performance resulting in a very tight race over the Championship course. Umpire John Garret (Cambridge BB ‘84 &’85) briefed the crews and completed the coin toss earlier in the afternoon. Buzz (racing in white) won the toss and chose the Surrey station.
After a warm up in calm waters, the crews lined up on the start line at 14:45. After a clean first 20 strokes, the boats drew closer together as the coxes fought for the fastest water. Just before the black buoy, Woody’s cox, Dylan Whitaker, got warned leading to a decisive blade clash. Woody, stroked by Sarah Portsmouth, came out of the clash ahead by three quarters of a length.

By the mile post, Woody opened up the gap to almost a length, but Buzz, stroked by the returning blue Caoimhe Dempsey and coxed by Jasper Parish, didn't yield. By Hammersmith, Buzz closed the gap to a third of a length. Woody, unwilling to give up their advantage, put a successful move at St Pauls and recovered their length of lead. Approaching Barnes, the boats were warned to return to their stations as they had moved across the middle line. Under the bridge, Buzz found another gear and started quickly gaining on Woody, closing the gap yet again to a third of a length. Woody responded accordingly and put on a final sprint to cross the finish line just under a length ahead of Buzz.

After this tight race, President Bronya Sykes reflected:

'Both crews were really pushed to the limit in the race today. Buzz didn’t let us (Woody) get away with anything, exactly the kind of race we wanted. I’m very proud of the squad today, and looking forward to the next 3 months before the Boat Race.'

CUBC Women's Chief Coach, Patrick Ryan said,

'I was incredibly proud of how the athletes conducted themselves, with not long to prepare we had a good close race. The collision early on was a good reality on the skills required to be best prepared for a collision but also the skills required to recover. They learnt some lessons on strategy too. Was truly touched with the gesture of them naming the boats after my dogs.'

The 2021 Trial Races were a great opportunity for the squad to race on the Championship course and delivered the always anticipated excitement of racing on the Tideway, bringing clashes and impressive performances from both crews.

The Boat Race 2022 will take place on Sunday 3 April with the Women’s Boat Race scheduled to start at 14.23 and the Men’s Boat Race will begin at 15.23.