On December 18th, "King" and "Ace" lined up on the Henley Reach for the CULRC Trial VIIIs race. As on Boat Race day, the crews had to weigh in a few hours before racing, so a sweat-paddle started off what turned out to be a near-perfect day of sunshine and little wind.
The race was umpired by Sir Matthew Pinsent, with the crews racing in shells by WinTech Racing and Hudson. The start was marred by delays as two barges moved onto the race course just before the scheduled start time. They took so long that King and Ace had to continue paddling to avoid getting cold, while Sir Matthew eventually had to intervene and ask the barges to move out of the way.
Once the river was clear, the Cambridge crews could finally start. They set off very close to each other, and a few unfortunate gusts of wind caused an early and severe blade clash. Sir Matthew called a restart, with a generous gap of several boat widths between the crews.
The race was well rowed and very closely fought - until about halfway, neither crew managed to squeeze out a lead of more than a few seats. In the closing stages of the race, Ace, coxed by Michael Hook (Clare) in a Canadian-built Hudson shell, began inching ahead and extended their lead to just under a length by the finish line. King, racing in a WinTech Racing boat and coxed by Penelope Jenkins (1st & 3rd), battled to the finish and never lost touch in what was undoubtedly a very useful experience for both crews.
A flash hailstorm caught the crews on the row back to the boathouse - King and Ace saw the funny side, as the Oxford eights then had to race through the ice.
Trial VIIIs day was rounded off by tea and scones in Leander Club, where parents, alumni and supporters mingled with the oarsmen, before the crews were whisked off back to Cambridge and a formal dinner at St John's College. They now have approximately two weeks off before reconvening for training camp in Soustons, France.
CULRC would like to extend their thanks to finishing coaches Matt Castle and Steve Fuller, as well as to Enya Meadows, Seb Robins, Ellie Coats and all the volunteers helping to run the club.
Ace
Cox Mike Hook
Stroke Martin Kubie
7 Simon Morris
6 James Wedlake
5 David Thomas
4 Matthew White
3 Mark Varley
2 Jacob Gluyas
Bow Adrian Pel
King
Cox Penelope Jenkins
Stroke Liam Downes
7 Piran Tedbury
6 Emanuel Malek
5 Andrew Hunt
4 William Kenyon
3 William Hayes
2 Matthew Pryn
Bow Alexander Randall