Capsize and courage: Trial Eights proves tough test for Cambridge crews before Boat Race

Choppy waters and a high tide proved a steep learning curve for Cambridge crews racing in the Trial Eights ahead of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

For one of the Cambridge Men’s Lightweight crews it was all too much as their boat, and their plans, were overturned by the strong swell.

Last week, Oxford and Cambridge University teams competed in the Trial Eights on the Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake. It marked the only practice on the full course before the big event on the 30th March 2024.

A higher tide than expected and inclement weather caused tricky conditions down the tideway, adding an extra dimension to the racing beyond endurance and winning.

The event provides a strong indicator of possible team selection come the big day in March. Coaches are able to see how athletes fare over the whole course and can take numeric data from each athlete recording their power across the duration.

Tara Slade, cox of Oxford University Women’s ‘Romulus’, said: “Trial Eights is the perfect dress rehearsal for the Boat Race. 

“We spend several days down in London back-to-back so we get to practise on the same course every day which is an invaluable experience for the rowers and cox.”

Bad conditions had already blighted the other chance of a run at the full course in fours with the Fours Head event cancelled earlier in the year. The Trial Eights, then, were even more important in the crews’ preparation.

“It’s a chance to focus on the technical side as well as the race strategy of being side-by-side,” added Phoebe Mountain, also a member of Oxford’s ‘Romulus’ crew.

The Cambridge Women’s Trial Eights were the first to brace the choppy conditions as both the first squad and reserves took to the water to race in coxed boats of eight. 

Jenna Armstrong, Cambridge University Boat Club’s Women’s President saw the weather as an opportunity for the team to practise in some of the worst conditions they could face on the course. 

“I loved it. [The conditions] added another element that I hadn’t been used to before. If this happens again on race day we’ll be more prepared than we were today,” she reflected.

“This type of challenge really does highlight which technical changes we’ve really cemented and which technical changes we need to work on improving.”

The Women’s Lightweight boats followed in similar fashion before the Men’s Lightweight squad took to the tideway.

It was then that the conditions eventually overcame the spirited rowers. One boat took on too much water and ended up sinking into the Thames from which there was no recovery.

Orlando Morley, a member of the Cambridge University Boat Club who rowed in the later men’s race, was pragmatic about how the setback could impact the squads.

“[Getting swamped] happens. Just have that experience and move on. I don’t think it should affect how we train in general,” he said.

By the afternoon, and the final race of the day for the Cambridge Men’s Trial Eights, conditions had deteriorated so much that the start of the race was moved further down the river to avoid the choppiest water.

They did, however, make it to the finish line at Mortlake to close proceedings for the day.

“This was the most proud I’ve been all season. Despite the conditions every single athlete was just doing their absolute best. Nobody gave up. That grit and determination is what I was most proud of today,” said Armstrong.

Oxford had their Trial Eights a couple of days later. Both universities dreaming of that hallowed victory at the Boat Race.

“It’s one of a kind. The fact that it’s one versus one is quite unique in the rowing world. The coverage that puts women’s sport on an equal platform to men’s sport is so important,” said Sarah Marshall of Oxford Women’s ‘Remus’ crew.

While they will be in opposing boats come March, Armstrong shared similar views of how special the Boat Race can be.

“The Boat Race never really gets cancelled so you get these really exciting conditions like we saw today. Mother Nature can throw anything at us and there’s always that element of drama that comes with it,” she told The Sports Gazette.

“That makes it really special to be part of.”

Now both teams have had their practices of the full course in the Trial VIIIs, preparation will continue for the real thing. ERG tests after Christmas and competitive races on sections of the tideway against other crews will all play their part.

Ultimately, everyone competing at Trial Eights will have their sights firmly set on that finish line at Mortlake in March.