Clashes, crabs and Arctic chills : Trial VIIIs 2022

With just over 100 days until the 2023 Boat Races, all four squads have been in action on the Tideway with Trial VIIIs taking place as winter well and truly sets in.

Both universities were desperate to make the most of this unique racing opportunity.

Here’s an explanation of the Trial VIIIs format for today from @fergusmainland pic.twitter.com/JwsEX8VHzn

— Sports Gazette (@SportsGazette) December 12, 2022

Oxford’s women were first to take to the water. Their matched crews were racing as ‘Athena’ and Artemis,’ in a race that was over by Hammersmith Bridge.

Artemis, which contained this year’s President, Sarah Helin, did well to challenge Athena as they made the most of their advantage of the early Middlesex bend.

As soon as the river straightened out, Athena stuck the knife in and rowed away in a commanding manner. Stroked by, Maria Nielsen-Scott, Athena were able to move off their station before they reached St. Paul’s School.

Athena crossed the line oceans ahead of their club mates.

By contrast, the men’s race saw ‘Beetle’ and ‘Wedge’ getting struck into an early fist fight. The names of the crews were a nod to a restaurant on Oxford’s training stretch on the Thames.

As the crews thundered towards the mile post, the coxes weren’t prepared to concede their line to the opposition. Both Louis Corrigan and Tobias Bernard were repeatedly warned for their steering. Wedge and Beetle clashed several times with Beetle getting their blades caught in the water, allowing Wedge to creep up to 3/4 of a length’s advantage.

Wedge were unable to make the most of the long Surrey advantage through the middle of the race. Beetle dug in and admirably attacked on the outside of the bend, trying their best to cut the corner.

Both coxes were continuously warned by the umpire and eventually the tussle boiled over as New Zealander, Andrew Wakefield caught a crab and his bladed ended up tangled, parallel to the boat.

At this point the race was over and Beetle cruised out to a clear water advantage, one they would hold until the end of the race.

The action continued on Day 2, as the light blues gave the Thames two races for the ages.

The women raced first in crews named after Beth Mead and Rapinoe, two footballing legends.

Mead lost the coin toss and ended up on Middlesex, using the early advantage to move out to nearly a length over Rapinoe. Despite the bone-chilling conditions, the umpire was kept warm having to warn the leaders time and time again.

In the shadows of Hammersmith Bridge, Rapinoe drew level, conscious of the critical advantage they were about to be presented with.

Rapinoe’s lead grew to the best part of a length but as the crews came together, Vera Kunz, bow of Mead, caught a boat stopping crab and the coaches made the decision to restart the race with both crews level at Chiswick Eyot.

“What do we learn from having six boat lengths between crews, not very much at all,” said assistant coach, Autumn Mantell.

“Getting it right and getting the close racing was the priority,” she added.

Following the restart, Mead attempted to capitalise on the final Middlesex bend and had their bow ball in front as they went under Barnes Bridge. However, Rapinoe did what few crews can do and came from behind on the outside of the bend to win Trial VIIIs by just six inches.

Cambridge’s women’s President, Caoimhe Dempsey, enforced just how important the tight racing is for developing crews for the Boat Race.

“This is my fourth year doing Trial VIIIs and it’s definitely the most I’ve gotten out of it,” she said.

The final contest was a matchup between ‘Youth’ and Experience. The former being made up mostly of undergraduates and the later having seven postgraduates on board.

The light blue men delivered another cracker as the leading crew could never gain an advantage of more than a length.

The young guns worked hard to push the old boys into second place. As per previous races, the crew on the Middlesex station moved to an early lead.

However, as the crews came under Hammersmith Bridge, Experience were never able to move into pole position as Youth asked questions they simply could not respond to during the middle of the race.

With both crews passing through the arches of Barnes Bridge, Youth looked set to break away from Experience.

The old dogs had clearly not run out of tricks as they attempted to launch a final attack on the outside of the bend, similar to Rapinoe in the race before.

Their efforts fell short by a third of a length and the saying can now be put to bed- youth is better than experience.

Despite coxing the losing crew, men’s President, Ollie Boyne was proud of the whole club’s performances, particularly with a couple of key members out with injury.

“There was no point [in the race] I thought my crew were out of the race.”

It’s all well and good winning Trial VIIIs but it’s very much a stepping stone to the big thing in March,” he said.

All four clubs will have learned a huge amount about what the Boat Race may throw their way, particularly those crews who’s contests were not plain sailing.

After winter training camps in Europe, both universities will return to the Tideway for fixtures against some of the nation’s top clubs.

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