Cambridge Trial VIII's

I caught the Train in from St Albans with Dom and headed down to Putney to watch Cambridge University Boat Club's tideway race. The squad is preparing for the famous Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race that takes place at Easter. Trial VIII's give two matched crews a chance to race head to head over the Boat Race course from Putney to Mortlake. There is considerable media interest and pundits attempt to gain an early indicator of the form of the two squads.

The 'Tideway' is, as the name suggests, a tidal section of the Thames. the race is timed to coincide with the fast tide flowing in, and both crews will attempt to position themselves in the fastest moving piece of water or 'stream'. I was in a Launch with good friend and CUBC boatman Rob Baker and Legendary coach Donald Legget.

It was a drizzly, grey day which required several layers + waterproofs. The two crews were 'Goldie' and 'Fairbairn' after two influential figures from the rich history of Cambridge rowing. We followed 'Goldie' who got off to a good start but suffered at the hands of the harbour master who, for reasons unknown, decided to wash the race down. 'Fairbairn' contained Tasmanian President Tom Edwards and 2000 Olympic gold medallist Kieran West in the stroke seat. Fairbairn sat on a higher rating for the whole race and moved up to a length of clear water by the mile post. Goldie's rhythm improved visibly in the flatter water after Hammersmith and they managed to neutralise some of Fairbairn's advantage, but they were never a threat.

Chief Coach, Duncan Holland seemed pleased with the performance of the two crews and all returned to the King's School Boathouse in Putney for hot soup.