Kent News - Rowers prepare for university boat race

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Rowers prepare for university boat race

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Pelly is second from front

by Tom Howard

KENT rowers Henry Pelly and Tom Ransley will try to hold back the nerves this evening, as they do battle in their first University boat race hoping to retain Cambridge’s 2007 title.

The prestigious race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities began in 1829. It has been contested every year outside of the World Wars since 1856, making the event one of the most famous sporting occasions.

This year the Cambridge boat has two newcomers to the event in the shape of Pelly, from Bromley and Ransley, from Ashford, who were called up to the squad earlier this month.

Pelly, 24, only began the sport in his last year of secondary school and spent his gap year rowing for Dover Rowing Club.

Ransley, 22, has rowed at the top level including being part of Britain’s European Championship last year. He has also competed at the Henley Regatta for the last five years.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the famous four mile course between Putney Bridge and Mortlake, with millions watching on television. Despite the huge numbers of spectators, Pelly believes his nerves will not affect him.

Pelly told The Saturday Observer: “I have never rowed in front of such a big audience. I am not too scared by that, in fact I am more excited. We have been training hard for six months which started in the autumn. Now we do not train as hard with the race coming up. The reason is you can over train and this is a way of keeping yourself fresh for the race.”

With it being his first university boat race the Bromley rower hopes his crew can retain the title even though they are considered as underdogs.

He said: “The race itself is all about excellence with some of the best rowers in the world taking part. It is always a tough race and this year both boats have crews of a really high strength. I think we can defend the title but I believe we are the underdogs.”

The 154th running of The Boat Race begins at 5.15pm this evening.

POSTED: 29/03/2008 10:30:00