CUBC were recently invited by the organisers of the Head of Shanghai River Regatta to race in both Head and Sprint Races, an invitation which was taken up by the men’s squad, whilst the women’s squad chose to focus on a key bloc of training.
CUBC raced against crews including an Australian U23 boat comprising six medallists from the U23 World Championships, a crew from Oxford Brookes, and a crew comprising 5 of China’s Men’s VIII from the 2023 World Championships.
After a week of training on Shanghai’s 2000m course, coaches Rob Baker and Bill Lucas selected two eights for the river race. Both crews were composed of a mixture of open and lightweight athletes, and the combination was highly effective.
CUBC’s first crew took a strong win ahead of the Australian U23s in the Head Race, with Brookes taking 3rd, the Chinese crew in 4th and close behind them CUBC’s second boat.
Both crews backed up the next day,with CUBC’s 1st crew placing a close second in the sprint race behind the Australian crew.
The weekend saw great racing by our men’s crews, a mixture of openweights and lightweights, as they took first in the Head Race ahead of the Australian crew, then placed second to them in the sprint regatta.