The women had more fun than the men. Neither of the 2nd Torpids were allowed to race but the Women's 2nd VIII at least qualified in Rowing On, which gained them 5 places on their previous finish position, so technically becoming our most successful crew for some years. The women's 1st Torpid finally got to try out their new shell, which has been sitting on the rack since last summer, and even registered a few bumps — their first since 2022. The men's 1st, well, perhaps their highlight was rowing over on the last day (thanks to a klaxon caused by an intrusive swan). The Captains provide their reports.

The Boat Race crews have just been announced, following some controversy over eligibility. I'll review the story so far. \centerline{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{rsht252a.jpg}}

Like with Michaelmas, Hilary has been another term of rain and high streams, but the men's crew has stayed positive! All our novices continued to be engaged and keen to row following their first term, and we've picked up a handful of new starters throughout, making the squad bigger once again. Training (when the weather permitted it) was more intense than it had been last term, with M1 and M2 boats heading out on the water on at least three early mornings each week in the build up to Torpids. Unfortunately, with the high stream during Torpids week, only our first boat could race.

As we had expected, with much of the boat being new rowers this year, and limited water time, our competition was tough, but in dramatic klaxoned race on Saturday, we managed to row over and avoid Spoons. An eventful race to the line on Friday with Lincoln gave spectators on Boat House Island a good watch and an exhilarating finish for all those in the boat. Although poor braking during the Klaxon, from Teddy Hall, means the stern of Catz 22 is currently undergoing some major surgery.

Despite our slide from Div 1 to Div 2, the atmosphere in the first boat and the rest of the men's side is still hugely positive, and going into our Bled training camp we are confident that next term will be more successful.

I’m very happy to share that, despite the challenging weather conditions at the start of term, our team has come together strongly, managing to sign up two boats for Torpids. Unfortunately, due to the red flag restrictions, our second boat couldn’t race. Nevertheless, team spirit has remained high.

As for our Torpids campaign, I couldn’t be prouder of the girls who raced. We had a strong performance, starting with an over-bump on Corpus Christi in our first race. On the second day, we over-bumped St Anne’s and successfully rowed away from St Hilda’s. Unfortunately, on the third day, a crab allowed Hilda’s to catch us, and we were later bumped by Merton, though we recovered to over-bump Wolfson II. In our final race, we chased Merton, who bumped Hilda’s. We closed a three-length gap on Hilda’s and nearly secured another over-bump.

The Women's 1st Torpid on the Saturday

During the Vac, we plan to continue training, with many of our rowers taking out small boats and participating in the sculling camp organised by our coach, Rowan.

It’s been an exciting campaign, and we’re eager to build on this momentum for Summer Eights!

It has to be acknowledged that, despite the high stream, there were fewer 'incidents' than usual, although that may also be partly due to having just 7 boats racing at a time, and all experienced crews.

Also there were only two klaxons all week, and both of those due to swans. Nowadays the protocol is that the klaxon is not only used to stop racing when there is an obstruction in the racing line or someone in the water, i.e. when there is a real risk of human injury, but also if a swan gets on to the racing line.

What doesn't seem to have been appreciated is that klaxoning a division also poses a certain risk of injury to the crews if someone fails to hear the klaxon and continues racing. This is what happened to the men's 1st Torpid on the Saturday. It was particularly unfortunate that their regular cox, having finally got her chance to race, got clobbered by S.E.H. for doing exactly what she was supposed to do. I'm hoping OURCs will now decide that swans are well capable of looking after themselves.

The independent panel has ruled in Oxford's favour and disqualified these individuals, so Cambridge's claim rests on questioning why Oxford only brought it up this year and not in the past. Had Oxford also been regularly fielding PGCE students they might have a good case but that doesn't seem to be what's being claimed. So, admittedly with an Oxford bias, I really don't think they have an blade to scull with.

Anyway, as regards actual rowing, what Cambridge do well (and Oxford don't) is publish commentaries and results of their pre-boat race fixtures, as well as compete in the major heads. Their women's Blue boat came 3rd in the Women's HORR and Goldie, their men's 2nd VIII, 7th in the Men's HORR so I can state with some certainty that they are strong again this year.

Even the various betting sites aren't yet offering odds on this year's races so, with 2 weeks to go, I really have no idea of what to expect.

Apart from Matt Pinsent (M.89), umpiring the Women's Boat Race, there are no Catz participants this year — our first blank since 2017. However, former Catz students often pop up for the alumni boat races which occur the day before.