12 December 2023
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch on tests with a fifty-percent failure rate.
Seventy-two students will go on trial between the 13th and 15th December, but the verdict will only be delivered in approximately 100 days’ time on 30 March next year and only the lucky ones will be found guilty. To be less obtuse, the Cambridge Men’s and Women’s Trial Eights are on 13th December and the Oxford Men’s and Women’s Trial Eights are on 15th December. The official website explains:
How do Trial Eights work?
Each coach takes the top 16 rowers and top 2 coxes and splits them into two evenly matched crews who will then race one another. For about a week before the race they’ll train and bond as a crew with laser focus on beating the other crew in a bid to earn the all important bragging rights for the rest of the season.
What’s the point of a club racing itself?
There are lots of benefits to the coach in seeing how well the athletes bond and contribute to building a strong team and in particular how well the coxes cope with the pressure of an official Boat Race Umpire judging their steering. For the viewer, it’s some of the tightest racing action you’ll see all year because the coaches have gone out of their way to match the crews (sometimes swapping athletes the days before if one crew starts going faster than the other).
Where can I watch?
If you’re in London, then the best place to watch is in Putney. London Rowing Club will be playing host to spectators looking for a fantastic vantage point on the balcony overlooking the start as well as a warm fire, refreshments and a big screen with the live stream.
The Cambridge Live Stream will start at 11.30 on 13th December. Click here to watch. Women’s Race 11:50, Men’s Race 13:00.
The Oxford Live Stream will start at 13.00 on 15th December. Click here to watch. Women’s Race 13:20, Men’s Race 14:30.
The live streaming will be via the Boat Race website, not via YouTube as in previous years, but recordings of the races will be uploaded to YouTube shortly after they have finished.
Some images of Trials past.
