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Medway students pull together for the Boat Race

Universities at Medway students are sharing the river - as well as the campus - as they make their final preparations for the Medway Boat Race on Saturday, 3 May.

Students from Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church - the three universities based at the joint campus at Chatham Maritime - will again be battling it out on the River Medway, hoping to win both spectacular silverware and local bragging rights.

Following the success of last year's inaugural race, watched by several hundred spectators, rowers will once more tackle a course of approximately 2.6 kilometres, between Cuxton and The Esplanade in Rochester.

Last year the trophies, created for the race by renowned Medway artist Paula Groves, were won by Kent's women's crew, who defeated their rivals at Canterbury Christ Church, and by Greenwich's men's crew, who rowed to victory over Kent's men.

This year, for the first time, all universities are entering a crew for the women's race, which means a unique three-way contest is in store.

The men's race remains a straight head-to-head clash between Greenwich and Kent. Most of the student rowers taking part are novices, but have been trained for the big day by the experts of Medway Towns Rowing Club.

Greenwich captain Tim Powell, 22, a first-year student reading Marine Engineering, said he was determined to keep the men's trophy in Greenwich hands for the second year running. 'We've been training for nearly eight months now and everyone wants to have the feeling of winning. We know that the Kent men are equally desperate to win, though, and I'm sure you'll see a close contest. It might come down to whoever holds their nerve on the day.'

Kent's women's skipper Nicole Dalgliesh - who was also last year's winning captain - said it was a 'huge buzz' to lift the trophy in front of the crowd. 'This will be my final race at Medway. Last year's contest was something I'll never forget and I'd love to go out on a high note,' said the final-year Sports Therapy student.

The race has been organised by Universities at Medway Students' Association (UMSA).

The action starts at 1pm on 3 May, with a head race by Medway Towns Rowing Club. The women's race is at 1.45pm, with the men's race at 2.45pm, followed by presentations and the closing ceremony.

Spectators can watch the races from the open area on The Esplanade in Rochester, near to Hathaway Court.

The event is being sponsored by Chatham Maritime Trust.

Contact: N.J.Ellwood@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 11:18am 21 April 2008