Head Coach Sean Bowden said: “Trial Eights is always an important climax to the first half of the season giving the rowers an invaluable experience of a race that simulates the Boat Race closely whilst giving the coaches a good opportunity to see combinations coming together and everyone tested to their limit. We are looking forward to the race on Sunday with two good crews eager to battle it out. Whilst still early days for selection, there is a lot at stake, and we expect to see important lessons learned”

The Boats

Tassilo von Mueller, OUBC President explained the rationale behind this year’s Trial VIII crew names: “Once an old boathouse, The Beetle and Wedge is a restaurant on the bank of the river Thames. Many Oxford rowers, past and present, will know it from daily rows out in Wallingford. It represents an iconic landmark that is often used for timed pieces on the stretch of water.”