Cambridge Head: Pre-Race Report

RUMSBC is once again on the cusp of its first foray into competitive rowing for the year, venturing far afield to trade in the Thames tideway for the calm waters of the River Cam. All crews have been training tirelessly both on and off the water in the hopes of securing victory in the first of many races of what promises to be another stellar year for RUMSBC. Furthermore, Cambridge Head will once again serve as the novice crews' introduction to racing, riverside chanting and ridiculously early starts.

Ahead of tomorrow's festivities, RUMSBC is proud to annouce the crews taking part, along with words of support from their captains. Good luck to everyone racing this weekend, let's make it a day to remember (in spite of numerous post-race drinks).

Men's Novices

​Men's Novice VIII
​Division 3
Boat: Vespoli
Cox: Hannah Hickingbotham
Stroke: Luca Richards
7: Joe Catling
6: Zak Mansell
5: Will Shorrocks
4: Finn Norris
3: Dom Victor
2: Yousif Ali
Bow: Sharan Sasikumari

​"The novice men have put the miles in on the water and ergs. Let's use this platform to get our power down for our inaugural race setting us up for a great year." - Matt Kinsella, Men's Novice Captain 17/18

Women's Novices

​Women's Novice Boat 1 (Matched VIII's)
​Division 2
​Boat: Stämpfli
Cox: Greg Gibson
Stroke: Ceyda Oral
7: Sophie McWilliam
6: Eve Kerins
5: Annalise Munro
4: Federica Ezennia
3: Fiona Chegwidden
2: Radhika Kumar
Bow: Esha Dandekar

​Women's Novice Boat 2 (Matched VIII's)
Division 3
​​Boat: Stämpfli
​Cox: Greg Gibson
Stroke: Maddie Sanz
7: Alex Robinson
6: Hannah Roberts
5: Laura Dan
4: Serena Lu
3: Rojah Thayabaran
2: Gracie Sutton
Bow: Alisa Rasch

​"Cambridge Head is your first ever race as part of RUMSBC and I'm so excited to see you all in action. You have improved massively since I met you all at Freshers Day at the River, and you had never set foot in a boat before. Now you are all rowing together as a team and impressing me and all the seniors who have watched you row and improve. Good luck girls! Big RUMSBC love!" - Nicola Skajaa, Women's Novice Captain 17/18

Senior Men

Senior Men Boat 1 (Matched VIII's)
​Division 2
​Boat: Vespoli
Cox: Chris 'Beans' Jackson
Stroke: Sam Gunning
7: Will Wilson
6: Connor Price
5: Jonathan Lau
4: Jack Illingworth
3: Ollie Marwood
2: Adam Jones
Bow: Ben Southgate

Senior Men Boat 1 (Matched VIII's)
​Division 2
​Boat: Fleming 28
Cox: Julia Negreskul
Stroke: Louis Robertson
7: Luke Martin
6: Jack Merritt
5: Patrick Hanna
4: Ben Wardner
3: Timo Rodi
2: Martin Furlepa
Bow: Alex Lane

​"On Saturday RUMSBC men will be pitted against one another in the final fight for crew selection. Less than a second separates these matched crews on paper, but they both know that means nothing on the water. Each crew has only had 2 weeks to gel and learn to row together as a unit. Which will come out on top... find out Cambridge Head 2017!" - Jamie Glenister, Men's Captain 17/18

​Senior Women

​Senior Women Boat 1 (Matched VIII's)
Division 4
​Boat: Wintech
Cox: Hannah Hickingbotham
Stroke: Eimear McKavanagh
7: Anna Shadwell
6: Libi Hawkes (C)
5: Jen Whitehead
4: Tintin Larsson
3: Georgie Stagg
2: Charlotte Withers
Bow: Asha Dave

​Senior Women Boat 2 (Matched VIII's)
Division 4
​Boat: Dr Dr Rose
Cox: Preena Patel
Stroke: Livi Drewett
7: Claire Shadwell
6: Jenny Budden
5: Nadia Eden
4: Fernanda Fenn Torrente
3: Olivia Duffy
2: Millie Walker
Bow: Abi Powell

​"In an unprecedented turn of events, the women’s squad are sending two matched eights to Cambridge Head to battle it out on the fearsome waters of the River Cam. With many a side by side outing behind them, and even the occasional erg, competitive spirit is at an all time high. But who will triumph in this inaugural contest? And who will be left behind in a trail of bubbles? All shall be revealed on Saturday." - Libi Hawkes, Women's Captain 17/18