Daphne Martschenko elected Cambridge University Women's Boat Club president

Patricia Smith and Ellie Thompson complete junior committee

Daphne Martschenko has been elected president of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club.

The 24-year-old Homerton College student is studying for a PhD in education and earned Blues in the 2015 and 2016 crews.

Martschenko, who has represented the USA at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships, said: “It is an honour to continue the legacy and tradition of the CUWBC.

“It is with great privilege that I look forward to representing the Light Blue in the 2018 campaign and to driving forward a group of dedicated, compassionate, and process-driven women.”

She succeeds Ashton Brown as president, with the Canadian having led the Light Blues to their first win since the Women’s Boat Race gained parity with the men on the Tideway.

Martschenko is joined on the junior committee by Patricia Smith and Ellie Thompson.

Christ’s student Smith learned to row at Cambridge and was part of the winning reserve crew Blondie this year, and was part of the lightweight eight in 2015, while Newnham College student Thompson was part of this year’s victorious lightweight crew, having previously rowed at Henley and Shiplake Vikings Rowing Clubs.