Quotes from CP
THAMES - Thunderbird alumni Rob Weitemeyer finished his outstanding rowing career with a win at the 156th Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Weitemeyer has bowed the Cambridge 8+ for the past two seasons following his graduation from UBC and long tenure with the Canadian National Team.
Cambridge, aka the light blues, had trailed for most of the race however a big push at the Crossing finally broke Oxford's, aka the dark blues, spirit and the underdogs rowed to a four second win, crossing the line in 17 minutes and 35 seconds.
The light blues have now won 80 races against 75 for Oxford who were looking for their third win in a row.
"Rob has been a winner at every level of the sport and he's had a remarkable career," said his former T-Bird coach
Mike Pearce. "It's wonderful to see him win one of the most coveted events in rowing."
The two schools first began racing each other down the Thames in 1829 and the duel has grown into one of the biggest rowing events of the year. Up to 250,000 spectators lined the banks of the river this year with millions more following the race on TV.
The former UBC standout was one of a record four Canadians taking part in the race and had this to say after the win by his underdog Cambridge crew.
"We really focused hard on the second half of the race," said Weitemeyer, who was in the lineup that lost to Oxford by 3½ lengths last year. "We were well aware that if you overcook the race in the first three kilometres, it really hits you.
"We worked on economy, getting the most out of our power and staying calm, not needing to be in the lead to know it could come good at the end."
Full CP release
UK Telegraph story on Weitemeyer
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