In their first official Boat Race fixture as a combined club, Oxford University were treated to much calmer waters for their trial eights. Speaking after the race, Ella Stadler – Women’s President – was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Cambridge’s experience of rowing the Tideway in near-biblical conditions would prepare them better for race day. “Trial eights is more about learning how you as an individual, crew and a group of 40 women will handle being under pressure for 20 minutes straight.”
Women’s ‘A’ Race
New Head Coach Alan French boated two exceptionally well-matched crews in his first rendition of trial eights. Romulus and Remus both set out with clear intent, with strong, aggressive starts both crews were striking 36 through the first two minutes.
It was as the crews passed Barn Elms Boathouse, however, that the crews came together for their first clash, with Romulus Cox Tara Slade being warned for impeding on her opposition by Umpire Richard Phelps.
Tara, cox of the 2023 Blue Boat, continued to hold an aggressive line throughout the race, as did Joe Gellett, cox of the 2022 Blue Boat. 2024 will be one of very few Boat Race campaigns which sees two coxes both with a Blue Boat under their belts compete for the top seat.
The crews regularly came together as the race continued, with the Umpire’s flag often seen aloft directing both coxes to move apart.
Despite pulling away slightly at Harrods, Romulus failed to cut Remus out of the picture, with the latter staying within a length all the way to Barnes, where Romulus were finally able to break free.
At the university post, it was Romulus that led with a length and a half over Remus, ending the tightest race the Championship Course has seen all week.
Men’s ‘A’ Race
In a similar display of exquisite coaching insight, Sean Bowden repeated his counterpart’s feat of producing two well balanced crews, with Noise and Panic racing bowball-to-bowball as they raced past the embankment.
Coming off the initial sprint, Panic were able to capitalise on their initial Chiswick station advantage, pulling away to a half-length lead opposite Fulham football ground. As the advantage turned though, so did the lead.
As the crews approached Hammersmith Bridge, it was Noise that began to reel their opposite numbers back in, stretching out to a two-length lead at the Eyot.
Over the rest of the course, Noise slowly built on their lead, eventually crossing the finish line several lengths clear of Panic.
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