Postponed Cambridge Women’s Trial VIIIs to take place on Thursday 6 January 2022

The Cambridge Women’s race was delayed due to a case of COVID within the team in December. As we welcome in the New Year, the Cambridge women have begun their winter training camp in London and prepare to race tomorrow Thursday 6 January at 14:35 GMT.

The annual Trial VIIIs race is an important part of every Boat Race season. Women’s Chief Coach Paddy Ryan is looking forward to watching his team perform,

‘I've been very impressed by the way that our squad has approached Trial VIIIs. They have used the Christmas break to refocus and prepare for the lead into The Boat Race, and I'm excited to see the racing on Thursday. The crews are a great blend of experience and youth, where Olympians are backed up by those who have learned to row at Cambridge. Our Trial VIIIs will set the scene for the rest of the season: whatever the outcome, I'm certain that we will learn more about our athletes and that they will use it effectively in their Boat Race preparation.’

Trial VIIIs gives Cambridge coaches an opportunity to observe how athletes perform under pressure in the side-by-side racing and unpredictable conditions on the Tideway. After the cancellation of The Boat Race in 2020 and the move to Ely for The Gemini Boat Race 2021, the Clubs are delighted to be back in London.

CUBC Women’s President Bronya Sykes says,

‘After the delay to Trial VIIIs added an additional challenge to our season, being able to race the Championship course is very important for focusing us back together. We have really got to know each other well through Michaelmas and are very close as a team but every year Trial VIIIs unleashes an intense, competitive drive between the crews (all in good spirit of course).
Matched racing has the potential to produce some tight races, and tests each athlete's response under pressure, as well as coxing tactics, and Trial VIIIs are a great opportunity for the coaches to analyse the athletes over the full course. Being back on the Tideway for Trial VIIIs is yet another marker for us of what we are building towards; making the return of The Boat Race to London ever more real. I’m looking forward to another round of exciting racing!’

The Cambridge Trial Races Umpire will be John Garrett who is the named Women's Boat Race Umpire on 3 April 2022. John will bring a wealth of experience to the role this year as he has officiated as Men’s Boat Race Umpire on a number of occasions; 2008, 2012 and 2018.

As tradition dictates, the crews are given names. This year the Cambridge Women’s squad has named their crews after Buzz and Woody, two dogs owned by their Coach Patrick Ryan.


There will be opportunities to spot the crews as they make their way down the Championship Course and you are encouraged to give a cheer for the crews if you see them on Thursday! Cambridge will remain in London after Trial VIIIs to continue with their training camp until January 10th before returning to Cambridge to prepare for the start of the academic term on 18 January.

CREW Lists posted HERE
'Buzz' will race in white tops and 'Woody' in blue.
The Gemini Boat Race which will take place on Sunday 3 April 2022. The best way to keep up to date about The Gemini Boat Race 2022 is to sign up to our e-newsletter HERE