Boat Race 2023: Meet the Cambridge University Boat Club women’s crew seeking to beat Oxford for the sixth meeting in a row

liam.apicella@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 15:30, 23 March 2023

Cambridge University Boat Club women’s crew will be seeking to continue their positive recent run of Gemini Boat Race form when they lock horns with Oxford once again on Sunday.

Last year’s two-and-a-quarter length victory made it five wins in a row for Cambridge, who now lead the head-to-head record by a margin of 46-30.

Below are the eight athletes and cox that have been selected to contest the 2023 fixture.

The Cambridge and Oxford University Boat Race women’s teams line up at the crew announcement in London. Picture: Keith Heppell.

Bow: Carina Graff (Emmanuel)

Studying clinical neuroscience. Born in Germany. Started rowing relatively late in 2018, but has gone on to enjoy plenty of success, including victory in the BUCS International 4+ last year and the 2022 Blondie boat.

No 2: Rosa Millard (Trinity Hall)

Rosa Millard, left, shakes hands with her Oxford counterpart. Picture: Keith Heppell

Studying linguistics. Stroked Cambridge’s lightweight women to a 15-length victory in last year’s Lightweight Boat Race. Three-time gold medal winner at BUCS.

No 3: Alexandra Riddell-Webster (Muarry Edwards)

Studying computer science. A member of the victorious Blondie boats in 2021 and 2022. Previously represented Great Britain at the Junior World Championships.

No 4: Jenna Armstrong (Jesus)

Jenna Armstrong, left, who is in the number four seat. Picture: Keith Heppell

Studying physiology. Has a wealth of experience under her belt and plenty of success, the most notable of which came in 2015 when winning the Div III NCAA National Championships. A Blondie crew member last year.

No 5: Freya Keto (St Edmund’s)

Studying African Studies. Dual British-American nationality. A finalist at the Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta.

No 6: Isabelle Bastian (Jesus)

Isabelle Bastian is in Cambridge’s number six seat. Picture: Keith Heppell

Studying health, medicine and society. Found her love for rowing while growing up in Boston, USA. Rowed for the Harvard heavyweight rowing team during the 2019/20 season.

No 7: Claire Brillon (Fitzwilliam)

Studying MPhil in music. Represented Canada at senior level last year in the World Championships. Has previously rowed for the University of British Columbia.

Stroke: Caoimhe Dempsey (Newnham)

Women’s president Caoimhe Dempsey shares a joke with Oxford stroke Esther Austin. Picture: Keith Heppell

Studying a PhD in psychology. The women’s president this year after being part of winning Blue boats in 2021 and 2022. Has raced at the Under-23 European Championships and won an Irish title.

Cox: James Trotman (Sidney Sussex)

Studying BA economics. Has coxed Great Britain at Under-19 level on numerous occasions and also won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.

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Boat Race 2023: Cambridge University Boat Club’s Carina Graf thankful for opportunity after coming to the sport late

Cambridge University Sport Rowing Liam Apicella