2026 Fixture Series: CUBC Lightweight Men face Vesta RC
On Sunday 1 February, the CUBC Lightweight Men took on Vesta Rowing Club in their first fixture ahead of the 2026 Lightweight Boat Race. Our thanks to Vesta for hosting an excellent day of racing, which provided the squad with valuable Tideway experience as they build towards race day.
Cambridge v Vesta RC
Result: First piece to Cambridge by 7 lengths, second piece to Cambridge by 4 1/2 lengths
Crew:
Cox: Alex Taylor
Stroke: Peter Crossley
7: Archie Smith
6: James Richards
5: Freddie Challacombe
4: Josh Moore
3: Will Woodard
2: Victor Viennot-Bourgin
Bow: Jeremy Wilkinson
Race Report: Archie Smith
The first tideway fixture for the CUBC lightweight men’s squad saw them face off against Vesta’s senior men’s crew. The format was two half course pieces from the Boat Race start to the start of the Eyot.
Both crews got off to a strong start on the first piece. Cambridge stretched their slim lead of a few seats out to clear water, capitalising on the Middlesex advantage and settling into a punishing rhythm. The final margin was 7 lengths.
For the second piece the stations were swapped and Vesta were given an initial advantage of a length. Hungry to claw the margin back as soon as possible, CUBC went out strong and confident, and had drawn level before the Craven Cottage. By this point the conditions had worsened significantly and both crews were hit by waves over the bows and riggers. Cambridge stuck to their rhythm and began to take seats, and as the water improved under Hammersmith, one final push helped them finish the piece with a decisive four and a half length victory.
We hope to carry this momentum forward into the training back at Ely, with our eyes set on the next fixture against Oxford Brookes.
Please note: all crews are provisional until crew announcements take place from 12-17 March. The following crews may not represent the crews for the The Boat Race.