Cambridge University has taken a significant step towards selecting its crews for next year's iconic Boat Race, following the annual Trial VIIIs races on the famous Tideway course. In a wet and windy showdown last week, the university's top rowers battled side-by-side from Putney to Mortlake, providing coaches with crucial data ahead of the main event on 4 April 2026.
Cambridge Women: Baby Spice Outguns Ginger in One-Sided Affair
The women's squad adopted a pop culture theme, naming their matched boats 'Baby' and 'Ginger' after the Spice Girls. The 'Ginger' crew was inspired by the hair colour of its cox, Matt Moran. However, it was the 'Baby' boat that dominated the contest, winning by a commanding margin of five lengths.
Baby, stroked by Eloise Etherington—a participant in the 2025 Reserve Race—seized control early. They pushed ahead and sent disruptive wash down to their clubmates in Ginger, a crew that included Women's President Gemma King at bow and two-time Boat Race champion Carys Earl. A brief response from Ginger near Harrods proved too little, too late.
Charlotte Ebel, who rowed at number seven in the winning Baby crew, told reporters the plan was executed perfectly. "Our goal was to get off the start hot and get the inside along the Surrey station," she said. "It's confidence building for the whole squad. Going out there and fighting with another crew is something we'll take from it."
The race also highlighted an intriguing coxing duel. Baby's cox, Lidya Acar, a newcomer to the Tideway from Oregon State, impressed with an aggressive line, while Ginger's Matt Moran brought experience from Durham University and Thames Rowing Club.
Cambridge Men: Beans Edges Slop in Gritty Tideway Tempest
The men's crews opted for names reflecting rowers' staple diets: 'Beans' and 'Slop'. Their clash was a far tighter affair, fought in worsening conditions. Beans ultimately triumphed by one and a half lengths, but not before a fierce tussle.
Slop was quicker off the start and held a slender lead until Hammersmith Bridge. The Beans crew, powered by the developing stroke-seven partnership of Patrick Wild and Gabriel Obholzer, only pushed into the lead later in the race. The winning boat also featured Felix Rawlinson, a former Oxford rower who lost the 2025 Boat Race but appears to have overcome injury concerns.
The losing Slop crew contained notable talent, including Simon Nunayon, Simon Hatcher, and 2026 President Noam Mouelle, all of whom tasted victory in this year's Boat Race. Nunayon emphasised that all seats in the final Blue Boat remain fiercely contested. "Last year, I think there were five people in the losing trial VIII ended up in the Blue Boat," he noted. "This year, the squad is even deeper."
Road to the 2026 Boat Race: Intense Competition and Short Breaks
The Trial VIIIs are a traditional litmus test, but coaches stress they are just one part of a long selection process. With Cambridge aiming to extend their recent dominance over Oxford, the internal competition is described as exceptionally high.
When asked about the Christmas break, Simon Nunayon revealed the training regime would barely let up. "I think we get 24 hours off, maybe 48 if Rob [coach] is feeling nice!" he said. "I do know there's a nasty erg waiting for me before we get home. Oxford aren't going to be sitting on their laurels and there's no reason we should be too."
With the 2026 Boat Race moving to Channel 4 after the BBC's long tenure, and Oxford desperate to end Cambridge's winning streak, the stage is set for another monumental varsity showdown on the Thames next spring.
