Paddy Ryan
Chief Coach, CUBC Women
It is always a privilege to work with the Cambridge women. They are extraordinary people, doing extraordinary things. This squad has proven itself to be resilient and they possess an impressive ability to adapt.
There is a lot to be excited about this season. At times, it has been nerve-wracking and, of course, there were challenges to overcome. Selection is never easy, in fact, it is by far the hardest thing we do. There is stress but it facilitates good opportunities for the rowers to learn something about themselves. A significant number of our athletes have stepped on, especially those coming through the college pathway. It is great to see their physical and technical development, and many of them will be returning next year. As for the Blue Boat I’m confident in the skills they are developing. We are getting close to the finished product. The remaining sessions together are about feeding the crew’s confidence and supporting individual rowers to deliver their best.
Another exciting thing is Oxford! This year the Dark Blues look like they have a good vibe: I expect that will mean a memorable match come Boat Race Day. I hope so.