University of Cambridge Sport

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opponents. A solid push in the last 400m saw the Light Blues regain lost ground and narrow the gap to half a length. They crossed
the finish line in a time of 5 minutes and 45 seconds, 15 seconds inside the course record yet one second behind Oxford – a very
close and exciting race.
The Second Boat, the Lightweights, had a bad start due to conditions and were half a length down, but fought back to win the race
by a canvas, setting a new course record of six minutes. Blondie, the third boat, lost to Osiris by eight seconds. Again both crews
achieved record times.
Other News
Head of the Trent, Nottingham
19 February 2006
The provisional Blue Boat raced the 6km course in an impressive time of 19 mins, 51 seconds, into a very strong headwind and
despite being impeded by slower crews ahead. This meant that they won the inaugural Robert Haslam Trophy for the fastest
women’s crew of the day. Blondie finished second in Women’s eights senior 3 category behind the Blue Boat, with a time of 20
minutes, 16 seconds.
Women’s Eights Head of the River Race, Tideway, London
11 March 2006
The Blue Boat started in the demanding position of 4th, behind top clubs Leander and Thames, and a Dutch international crew
racing as Nereus BC. They attacked the race with determination, and during the first half maintained the same pace as Nereus.
Through the middle section, however, the crew’s lack of experience began to show, and both rating and acceleration dropped. A
storming final two kilometres however, managed to make up some of this deficit and they finished 8th, claiming the Senior 3
pennant. Blondie’s start was not as powerful as they had achieved in training and as a result it took a while to settle into a solid race
rhythm. Nevertheless, throughout the race they overtook a number of crews and finished 27th having started 47th.
BUSA Rowing Championships, Nottingham
1 May 2006
The Blue Boat won their Championship Eights heat in an impressive race, which saw them move ahead of the other crews in the first
500m and row over the course at a very comfortable rate 22, still pulling away from their competitors and allowing themselves to
conserve energy for the final later that day. In the final they once again met their rivals Oxford, who proved not to be a problem,
finishing only 5th. The Cambridge crew were however up against strong crews from Durham and Nottingham, both of which they
had beaten in the Head races during the winter. The crew’s fitness was slightly diminished compared to Boat Race day and was
unable to put up the fight it was capable of. The result was a very respectable bronze medal, but the crew had been hungry for gold
and there was disappointment that the power the boat is capable of was not there on the day. Five members of Blondie entered
BUSA Women’s Championship Coxed IV. Having trained hard after the Boat Race they got through two rounds to reach the final. In
an extremely close and well rowed race they came away with a well deserved Gold.
Other Notable Competitions/Achievements:
Rebecca Dowbiggin was selected to Cox the England VIII in the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Strathclyde in August
2006.
Successful CUWBC Alumni
Many CUWBC oarswomen go on to be successful on the international rowing scene. Previous CUWBC athletes include Cath Bishop,
Alison Mowbray, Sarah Winckless and Jo Hammond. Of particular note this year, has been the success of Annie Vernon, who
competed for the Blue Boat in the 2003 Boat Race. With Women’s Double Scull partner Anna Bebington, also an ex-Cambridge
student, Annie received gold at the Munich World Cup. It is a credit to the coaching team that this progression from University to
International level occurs and an inspiration for present CUWBC athletes to see previous Cambridge rowers achieve this international
success.
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