Under the shadow of Storm Eunice, CUBC’s women’s crews took on Oxford Brookes’ A, B, and C crews. Unfortunately, President Bronya Sykes and Blondie-elect Nicole Molina received positive COVID diagnoses 48 hours before the fixtures, and were replaced by multiple Olympian Jess Eddie and Caroline Breeden respectively.
Due to storm warnings, racing took place between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith rather than as a series of pieces along the Boat Race course.
We thank Boat Race partner Ludum for their video coverage of the fixtures which can be linked to here
- 35:00 – Blondie vs. OBUBC “B”
- 46:00 – CUBC Women vs. OBUBC “A”
- 1:38:00 – CUBC Women vs. OBUBC “A” – piece 2
CUBC Women vs. Brookes “A”
The CUBC Women’s first piece against Brookes A was a dominant one, taking an early lead on the Middlesex station which they quickly extended to a 3 length lead which was never relinquished. Umpire Richard Phelps swapped the crews’ stations for the second piece, with CUBC Women taking the Surrey Station. Brookes fought strongly in the second piece, pushing level and taking the lead into the piece, but were overhauled by CUBC’s Women who took a clear-water lead by the end of the piece at Hammersmith.
Chief Women’s Coach Patrick Ryan said, “Today showed a strong performance from the Blue Boat, who handled the conditions really well against tough opposition. We are ready to step on even further in the next couple of weeks in preparation for the Leander Club fixture”.
CUBC Blondie vs. Brookes “B”
The Blondie crew took on a strong Oxford Brookes crew, which took a slender lead off the start which they maintained through the Fulham Bend. CUBC cox Dylan Whitaker sought to make the most of the inside of the bend, but Brookes pulled away to a 3 length lead by Hammersmith.
Returning to the start at Putney, the crews took the same stations. Blondie attacked the Brookes crew with renewed vigour, pushing Brookes through the first half of the piece before Brookes’ strength showed in the second half. Brookes “B” took the piece by 2 lengths in the second piece.