The University Boat Race takes place from 10 to 12 September and the Rhodes University crews will be looking to trump last year’s performance.
The University Boat Race takes place from 10 to 12 September and the Rhodes University crews will be looking to trump last year’s performance.
The women’s eight’s A crew finished second last year, while the men’s crew did not make the A final.
The event will start with the heats at 10am on 10 September, starting with the women’s B crews, then the men’s B crews. After this, the women’s A crew heats will get underway before the men’s A crews hit the water. The last events on the Friday will be the novice races between the bridges.
Saturday, 11 September, will see the crews that made the C and D finals of the A crew and B crew events race.
Sunday, 12 September is for the A and B finals for both the A crews, and then the A finals for the B crews, with the action starting at 10am.
For the first time in the history of the boat race, Otago University from New Zealand will take part in the womens A crew race. Micheen Thornycroft, president of the Rhodes University Rowing Club said: “This crew is very competitive and will most probably make the A final and so this final will be a very exciting race.” According to Thornycroft, results in sprint this season so far show the most competitive crews on the women’s side to be Wits Rhodes and UJ, while the stronger men’s sides are Tuks, Rhodes and Wits.
A cash bar will open from the Friday at 12 noon until Saturday 2am, then at 11am until Sunday 2pm, situated on the final straight of the course, “so spectators can support from this area,” said Thornycroft.
