1 mins
CUBC Women vs Thames RC
Back on the Tideway to prove their mettle, the Light Blue women prepared to face off Thames on slack tide. Racing only two thirds of the Championship Course, from the traditional start to Chiswick Bridge, both crews knew they were in for a fast start.
PHOTOGRAPHY BENEDICT TUFNELL
Racing was fierce as Cambridge came out of the blocks faster and as the crews passed the Black Buoy the Light Blues were a canvas up on Thames, rating a high 35. As the crews raced along Crabtree Reach, the long, powerful and relentless rhythm of Thames took back ground. Thames looked calm as Cambridge cox, Hannah Murphy, faced the prospect of steering her crew to row right around the outside of the bend. Past St Paul’s School, Thames rating three pips lower held a comfortable half-length lead as Cambridge continued to leave it all out on the line with one last ditch push. Cambridge closed the gap and a review from the bank was necessary to call the victor. The race was called: one foot to Thames.
Coach Ryan was cautiously optimistic after seeing his crew’s reluctance to let Thames, his former home as an athlete and coach, have an easy victory. Speaking about the race, he said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to challenge ourselves with another great fixture. Thames RC is an important part of my journey in our sport, so I always want to ensure we bring our A game. The athletes showed great character holding on the outside of the Surrey bend to come back and lose by one foot at today’s finish, the Chiswick Steps. We learnt a lot about the river and ourselves. I am excited to see what we can bring to the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race and the Boat Race”.
“We learnt a lot about the river and ourselves. I’m excited to see what we can bring.”
Both coxes steered a clean line, giving their athletes the perfect opportunity to race the course with no unnecessary dramas, and Umpire Richard Phelps, an easy ride. Cambridge showed their dogged determination to win, and we now know for certain, they will never back down on Boat Race day.