1 mins
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rob Baker
CUBC Men’s Head Coach
After the uncertainty and disruption of the past two Boat Race campaigns, this year feels more like a normal Boat Race program, which is good. Of course, Covid has not gone away, and it could still have a bearing on the race. We have had individual cases during the season and made sure that the infected team members were quick to isolate to prevent spreading it. Like the rest of the country, we are better able to live with it now.
Our 2022 Boat Race campaign has been built layer-by-layer, and we have had a systematic approach to the training and crew development. Fundamentally the process is about ensuring our rowers row properly and can deliver good boat speed when it counts. The Blue Boat and Goldie have made big strides over the season, and I’m pleased with their progress. The fixtures were important to help the rowers further develop their tactical and technical know-how of side-by-side racing on the Tideway.
I’m pleased to say we have two fast eights and the rowers have continued to fulfil their potential at every step. Even in the final days there are opportunities to improve. Regardless of how strong a given line up is you never feel like the job is done until the crews are beneath Chiswick Bridge and the race is over. Until then the challenges are constant and there are always opportunities to improve the boat speed. It is no different this year. The athletes, coaches and support staff have worked tirelessly to get Cambridge to the start line as well-prepared as possible. I look forward to seeing them race.