While the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race conjures images of spring sunshine and Pimm's on the Thames, the reality behind the iconic event is one of months of gruelling preparation and a fierce internal battle for selection. Welcome to Trial Eights, the critical audition where prospective Blue Boat rowers face their teammates for a coveted spot.
The Ultimate Audition on the Tideway
Trial VIIIs offers the only chance for rowers to experience a full race on the legendary 4.2-mile Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake. It is a nerve-wracking process where athletes compete not against their arch-rivals, but against their own squad mates. Performance on the day is crucial, but coaches also scrutinise speed tests, technique, gym strength, and crucially, mentality under pressure.
Oxford men's coach Mark Fangen-Hall emphasises the psychological element. He observes how rowers behave in the days leading up to the trial, their body language, and whether they can deliver their best when it counts. The presence of an umpire and media attention replicates the intensity of the actual Boat Race, separating those who thrive from those who falter.
A Day on the Water: Sunshine and Stare-Downs
On Friday, 19 December 2025, Oxford took its turn on the Tideway, enjoying crisp, sunny conditions—a stark contrast to the miserable downpour Cambridge endured the day before. The two universities hold their trials separately, though rival coaches are known to snoop, underscoring the event's seriousness.
In the women's races, named after inspirational athletes, the crew Ledecky beat Williams. The men's Top Gun-themed clash saw Iceman secure a decisive win over Maverick. Despite being on the losing Williams boat, stroke Annie Anezakis and seven-seat Emily Molins remained in high spirits. "It's nice because Oxford always wins Trial VIIIs!" Molins joked.
For Anezakis, a former president and Blue Boat veteran, the nerves never fade. "It's so exciting every year, and I think I'm just as nervous every year," she admitted, acknowledging the unique pressure of racing teammates. The atmosphere, however, is more supportive than hostile. Molins described crews braiding hair and wearing matching ribbons, while Anezakis recalled a pre-race stare-down with a rival stroke that ended in a hug.
Gnarly Mornings and the Long Road to April
The rowers are candid about the immense sacrifice required. "It's pretty gnarly," said Australian-born Anezakis, describing sessions in the pitch black, freezing rain. The challenge of balancing elite sport with Oxford's academic demands is relentless. Men's president and Iceman cox Tobias Bernard advocates a day-by-day approach, viewing each tough session as a weapon for the future.
This year, Oxford faces a significant rebuilding task. After a long period of Cambridge dominance—eight consecutive women's wins and seven of the last nine men's races—the Dark Blues are underdogs. Only Tobias Bernard returns from last year's men's Blue Boat, with many athletes brand new to the sport. Coach Fangen-Hall acknowledged his crews were deliberately uneven for the trial to test different experience levels, from novices to athletes like Harry Geffen, a multiple under-23 gold medalist.
Final selection will happen earlier than usual to gel this new-look squad. Fangen-Hall's philosophy hinges on unity: "We often joke that [rowing] is the perfect communism: everyone has to be together." For Oxford, the work continues after a Christmas break, with training camps ahead. They will hope the grit shown on those cold December mornings finally turns the Tideway Dark Blue again.
The Boat Race 2026 will take place on Saturday, 4 April, and be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 4.
