No time for Mr Sleepy as Burpees rule in Cambridge University Boat Club Trial VIIIs
Burpees got the better of Mr Sleepy in the Cambridge University Boat Club Trial VIIIs on the Championship Course.
It is a key point in the build-up to the Boat Races, which are on April 3, and raced between Putney and Chiswick.
The squad is split in two in order to find two evenly-matched crews, and the crews are named by the students.
Cambridge named them Mr Sleepy and Burpees in reference to some internal team rules where anyone being late means burpees for everyone. Therefore if anyone channels their favourite Mr Men character, there are consequences for everyone.
Burpees made a move to take the lead under Hammersmith Bridge, and went on to win by two lengths.
CUBC men's chief coach Rob Baker said: "Both crews showed a lot of grit and determination, and especially in the winning boat, good race craft. While a tighter margin might have been nice, the margin showed that the winning crew was able to recognise an opportunity and capitalise on it.
"I'm looking forward to working with the guys in the New Year to build a Boat Race winning boat."
The Cambridge and Oxford women’s races were postponed after a confirmed case of Covid in both clubs.
The Dark Blues were due to race last Sunday, and the Light Blues on Monday (December 20).
Tim Senior, the Boat Race Company Limited chair, said: ‘’This has not been an easy decision and while it is disappointing that the races have been postponed, the safety and welfare of the athletes, staff and supporters of the event is of paramount importance to us. Our best wishes are with the athletes who have been affected.’’
Cambridge University men’s crews for the Trial VIIIs: Mr Sleepy – Bow Seb Benzecry, Peter Stevens, Tom Marsh, Tom Lynch, George Finlayson, Cameron Spiers, Luca Ferraro, stroke Tom George, cox Charlie Marcus; Burpees - Bow George Hawkeswell, Henry Evans, Reef Boericke, Hugo Durward, Ollie Wynne-Griffith, Simon Schurch, James Bernard, stroke Ollie Parish, cox Oliver Boyne.
