- The highly anticipated Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford takes place on March 30
- The long-standing rivals – who have been competing for 194 years – will face off again in two months
- Ahead of the action, Mail Sport’s ANDY HOOPER visited the Cambridge team during their training
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Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For the latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER traveled to Cambridge to attend an early morning training session with their boat crew.
This year’s boat race between Cambridge and Oxford universities starts on March 30, with the event expected to already start to build up.
The event marks the 78th Women’s race and the 169th Men’s race in the long-standing rivalry between the two academic giants.
Last year, Cambridge took victory in both the men’s and women’s races and it’s clear why, given their hard work and dedication in the lead up to the event – which was evident during a recent training session.
Our cameraman was on hand to capture the action during the early morning training using Nikon Z9, Z8 cameras and a Dji drone…
The Cambridge boat team took to the water at 6.30am as their early morning training got underway on Saturday
The crew begins their warm-up before hitting the water as the sun shines through the gym
After the session, the crew gathered again in one of the buildings to enjoy snacks, drinks and other refreshments
One crew member opted for a Nutella sandwich, while others enjoyed a honey bagel as a post-workout treat
We see one of the crew members, with two oars in hand, preparing the boats for training just after 6am
Preparations for the practice session were in full swing before sunrise on the cold Saturday morning
A close-up of the eight-man boat that crew members will use for the Gemini Boat Race in March
Crew members inspect, prepare and transport the boats before heading out onto the River Great Ouse, near Ely
With a strap draped over both shoulders, a student left the building before starting the workout
In pitch darkness, crew members carried equipment to the water’s edge as they ramped up preparations for the March event
Crews perform a series of stretches and other exercise routines just after 6 a.m. before hitting the water
One boat – filled with eight Cambridge students – will sail down the River Great Ouse on Saturday morning
The Cambridge team rows past acres of fields, a small bridge and a small group of riverside houses
The famous Ely Cathedral could be seen from afar as it jutted out into the distance behind the trees