News

Universities are set for an almighty row!

(13 May 2004)

Rowers from Newcastle and Durham University Boat Clubs are gearing up for their annual clash of oars on the Tyne this weekend, when they take to the water to battle it out in the eighth Northumbrian Water University Boat Race, on Sunday 16 May.

Durham University Boat Club are in superb form, riding high after winning the British Universities Rowing Championship, while Newcastle University's squad are also shaping up well. Newcastle's novice women's squad - competing in the Boat Race for the first time this year - won two gold medals at the same event, which took place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Both squads are determined to make this year's event a memorable one, to make up for their disappointment last year. Umpires called off the rowing races at the last minute when they declared the conditions on the water too dangerous to row. The eleventh-hour cancellation last year means that the squads are even more fired up for Sunday's clash.

President of Newcastle University Boat Club, Susie Nicholas, said: 'After last year's anti-climax I hope Sunday's race will finally give Newcastle the chance to triumph, which we deserve after all the hard training the crews have put in.'

Durham University Boat Club President, Katie Oven, said: We are gearing ourselves up for an exciting challenge. Being crowned British University Champions means that we have a lot to prove and a great deal of pride is at stake - we will be going all out to retain our Northumbrian Water University Boat Race title.'

Graham Rayner, Chairman of the Boat Race Executive Committee, said: 'Rowing is a tremendously competitive sport. In the crews who will be taking part in Sunday's race, we have young athletes who are capable of competing at the highest level in their sport.

'Since the first race in 1997, the Northumbrian Water University Boat Race has grown into so much more than a one-day spectacle on the Tyne. Both universities can boast rowers from previous Boat Races who have gone on to compete for Great Britain, which demonstrates the levels of fitness, talent and commitment needed to be able to take part in this event', he added.

Northumbrian Water's Communications Manager, Alistair Baker added: 'As title sponsor, since the event began in 1997, Northumbrian Water is immensely proud of its association with the University Boat Race, which enables the cleaned-up River Tyne to take centre stage in a fantastic day of sporting and family entertainment.

'We are also proud to support the aspirations of the rowers for whom, like everyone, water is such an integral part of everyday life. We look forward to a really exciting competition and a fun day out this weekend'.

The Quayside and the spectacular River Tyne, with its world famous bridges, will provide the setting for Sunday's events. The university races take place over an 1,800 m course with the finishing line situated just past the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The races are part of a larger day of land- and river-based entertainment, including jet ski displays, a canoe polo tournament, dragon boat racing and a sailpast by the North East Boating Federation. On shore, entertainment will be provided by street theatre group, Artizani and the Newcastle All Stars Steel Band.

The first of the university races is scheduled to start at 3.25 pm with presentations to the winning crews taking place in Baltic Square at 4.15 pm.

Quayside and river-based family entertainment begins at 1.00 pm.

River Timetable:

1.00 pm Jet Ski Race
1.40 pm Dragon Boat Race 1 (500 metres)
2.00 pm North East Boating Federation Sailpast & Pageant
2.45 pm Dragon Boat Race 2 (300 metres)
2.45 pm Canoe polo match (10 minutes each way, matches played between the booms under the Millennium Bridge)
3.25 pm Novice women's VIIIs
3.35 pm Novice men's Eights
3.45 pm Women's First Eights
3.55 pm Men's First Eights
4.15 pm Presentations (Baltic Square, Gateshead)

The presentations will be as follows:
Novice women's VIII: The Taylor Trophy
Novice men's VIII: The Renforth Trophy, sponsored by the Environment Agency
Women's First VIII: The Chambers Trophy, sponsored by The Journal Men's First VIII: The Clasper Trophy, sponsored by Northumbrian Water *Overall event winner's Trophy, donated by Cancer Research UK

In the event that the Universities win two races each, the overall event will be declared a tie.

Notes for Editors

1. Media passes will be required for access to Baltic Square. Please contact Newcastle University Press Office on 0191 222 7850.
2. When reproducing material in connection with this press release, please refer to the 'Northumbrian Water University Boat Race'.