2 out of 2 for CUBC at World Rowing U23 Championships
2 of this year’s Cambridge University Boat Club Squad have just returned home from Florida as World Champions.
Freddie Davidson (Emmanuel College) and Callum Sullivan (Downing College) were representing Great Britain in the coxless four and eight respectively at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Sarasota, Florida. The coxless four was coached by outgoing CUBC Assistant Coach, Richard Chambers.
Speaking on the success of the Cambridge students, Richard said:
“Both Freddie and Callum have had an amazing year with Boat Race wins and winning the world championships. They were an integral part of the most successful GB U23 Team ever. Their drive and commitment throughout the year has been evident and this can only help to push CUBC on to more Boat Race wins.”
The win for Freddie’s coxless four comes on the back of winning the Visitors’ Challenge Cup at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta earlier this month.
In Sarasota, both the four and the eight comfortably won their heats earlier on in the week showing the World their strength, and allowing them to progress straight to the final. Within a 45-minute window on Sunday 28 July CUBC had 2 World Champions.
The coxless four led its race from the start and successfully held off an attack from New Zealand in the second part of the 2000m race to cross the line 0.68 seconds ahead. The eight also led from the start, going off at 46 strokes per minute. Across the line, they were just under 2 seconds clear of the USA, who were just inches ahead of the Netherlands.
After the race, Callum commented:
“The result is one which I wouldn’t even have imagined a couple of years ago. The last few weeks have been a bit of a blur. I’ve enjoyed every moment and the fact that Rich and Fred also won makes the feeling all the more sweet.”
After a well-earned rest, Both Freddie and Callum will return to Cambridge to be part of the Squad preparing for the 2020 Boat Race, with Freddie acting as CUBC President for the forthcoming season.