ity of Cambridge Rowing Club saw success in this year’s Pairs Head of the River Race that ran from Chiswick Bridge to the Harrods Depository. In total the club sent seven crews across the Men’s, Women’s and Masters squads to compete on a windswept Thames with waves that often threatened to swamp boats.

Winning the Club Lightweight Double Pennant was Vincent Dubois and, Men’s Captain, Stuart Ladd. The two had rowed together in the Club’s successful Wyfold coxless four but only formed their double in the last couple of months. In challenging conditions for a lightweight crew, they beat off competition from a number of clubs including Maidstone Invicta, Putney Town and Cantabrigian Rowing Club to win in a time of 15 minutes 30.5 seconds. Their time also saw them beat over half of the heavyweight crews across all categories. This was especially notable as heavyweight crews had the advantage of setting off first when the tide was most in their favour.

Making their debut entry into Pairs Head were, Women’s Captain, Sarah Large and Alice Adriaenssens. Racing in the Women’s Club Pairs category they came second in a time of 17 minutes 5.1 seconds some 46 seconds ahead of the next fastest women’s pair. In the event, they were only beaten by a strong Putney Town crew.

Commenting Club Captain Seb Walker said, “I’m delighted with the performance which shows the competitiveness of the club in both the Men’s and Women’s squads, despite the disruption that is being caused by the rebuilding of our boathouse.”