News

Durham boat crews achieve national triumph in build-up for Tyne race

(3 May 2006)

Durham University student rowers are building up for their annual Northumbrian Water Boat Race against Newcastle University on Sunday 7 May with the strength of several international-class oarsmen and women - and a record-breaking triumph in the British Universities Rowing Regatta under the belts.

The Durham University Boat Club (DUBC) was the runaway winner of the three-day national event with a stratospheric score of 1204 points - way ahead of London’s Imperial College in second place with 494. Newcastle came fifth in the competition which involved about 50 universities in rowing Eights, Fours and other crews. It follows the earlier DUBC success by the men and women's senior Eights who were the top university crews in this year’s Head of the River Race on the Thames. Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman, said: “Durham students have put in another magnificent performance. I congratulate all members of the university and college crews, their coaches and supporters. It’s a terrific year for rowing at Durham and a great boost for the event on the Tyne this weekend.” It was the third time that DUBC has won the outright Victor Ludorum trophy at the British Universities Sports Association regatta. Special congratulations go to Sophie Hosking, Louisa Reeve and Frances Fletcher who each won three Championship level Gold medals in the women’s events. There were also excellent performances from Vicky Mortimer and Ellie Murphy’s Lightweight double (Bronze), Vicky’s Lightweight Single (Bronze) and Jase Buckley in the Lightweight pair with Sean Roy (Silver) and in the Lightweight Eight (Bronze). The 10th Northumbrian Water Universities Boat Race on 7 May has four student races – Seniors and Freshers for Men and Women – together with Dragon Boat races, canoe events and schools rowing. The programme begins at 10.15am, with the first of the university races, the Women Freshers at 12.15. The races are held on the Tyne beneath the famous bridges, and draw large crowds on the Quayside. Sophie Hosking and the men’s stroke James Clarke have both been involved in trials for the Senior GB international squad and several others have international experience. Naomi Hoogesteger was a member of the GB lightweight women's crew who won Bronze at the World Championship in Japan last year; John Foster and Phil Evans (DUBC President), Lucinda Gooderham and Louisa Reeve have rowed at GB Under-23 level. Last year’s contest was tied at two races each, but it was Newcastle’s first win in the Men’s Senior Eight. DUBC President Phil Evans said: “Durham is set on keeping up a successful run this season. They are going to be good races.” Newcastle President Henry Pelly said: “We have been working hard towards improving our performance for several years now, and the work is finally beginning to pay off. After having had a taste of victory last year, we are determined to give Durham a really hard fight.”

• www.ncl.ac.uk/press releases