The Oxford Men’s Trail Eight crews Noise (left) and Panic (right) head to the start line of their 15 December trial race as part of selection for the 2024 Boat Race. Oxford has held trials since 1859.
23 December 2023
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch follows the final Trail Race for next year’s annual aquatic clash between Oxford and Cambridge.
The Noise crew were wearing blue tops and were on Surrey. Their opposition in Panic had white base layers and were on Middlesex.Panic went slightly ahead at the start, both crews settling at 37.5 strokes per minute.Panic had been half-a-length up at Barn Elms and, as this screenshot from the live feed shows, had increased this to three-quarters-of-a-length by the Mile Post.Passing the Crabtree in Fulham Reach, Panic was still ahead.From Tea Rose buoy, just upstream of Harrods, Noise had started a slow but determined move back on Panic. Pictured here opposite Harrods, Noise has taken the lead.Passing Harrods, Noise seems to be a canvas ahead.In the short distance between Harrods and Hammersmith Bridge, Noise moved rapidly away from Panic.Under Hammersmith Bridge.Opposite Dove Pier, Hammersmith. From the bridge and with the bend in its favour, Noise took almost a length in a minute.Passing St Paul’s School.The inscrutable Oxford men’s coach, Sean Bowden (right), keeps an experienced eye (or two) on things. The Panic stroke (pictured) was the Dutch/Canadian, Jelmer Bennema, a last minute substitute covering an illness who came from the “4” seat of Noise.At the Old Ship pub. Veteran Tideway rowers will remember a time when it would have been said that the crews were passing the Bemax Factory. At Chiswick Church, all Panic can do is hang on. At Chiswick Pier with Barnes Bridge in the foreground, the boats are almost in line. For a short time they had swapped stations.Passing the Chiswick Crossover buoy.Along Dukes Meadows, Panic are cheered on by fellow OUBC members. Opposite stroke Bennema was cox Tobias Bernard. The Blues onboard were “6” Tom Sharrock (2023) and “5” James Doran (2023). The crew lists are here.Approaching Barnes Bridge and passing Emanuel School Boat Club, Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club and Cygnet Rowing Club.Under Barnes Bridge.Noise was stroked by Saxon Stacey and coxed by William Denegri. The only Blue in the crew was “4” Freddy Orpin (2023).At the finish, Noise led by a little over three lengths.Win or lose, it still hurts.Back at Putney, Noise may be looking forward to their Christmas break (albeit with a not very festive training programme to follow over the holiday).
A recording of the livestream is on YouTube.
The 78th Women’s Boat Race and the 169th Men’s Boat Race will take place on 30 March 2024 at 14.46 and 15.46.
