Rowing challenge revives the spirit of Clasper
29/04/2008
Media opportunity
Date and time: Wednesday 30 April 2008, 12.00 noon
Location: Baltic Square, Gateshead Quayside
Event: Rowers from Newcastle and Durham University Boat Clubs meet for the annual challenge to compete against one another in the 2008 University Boat Race.
*** Photographs of the challenge will be available after the event from North News and Pictures. Contact 0191 233 0223.***
Rowers from Newcastle and Durham University Boat Clubs will take part in the traditional challenge to compete in the annual University Boat Race this week (Wednesday 30 April) under the watchful eye of a descendant of one of the greatest Tyne rowers of all time.
Dave Clasper, great great nephew of Tyne rowing legend, Harry Clasper, will preside as Dan Cupit, President of Newcastle University Boat Club issues the challenge to Rob Stark, President of Durham University Boat Club, by handing over the ceremonial oar blade.
Mr Clasper said: 'The history of rowing on the Tyne has long been a passion of mine. Not many people realise that, in Harry Clasper's day, back in the mid 1800s, competitive rowing on the Tyne had a tremendous following.
'I had the honour of starting the very first University Boat Race in 1997, and I have been thrilled to see the annual spectacle unfolding between the two universities. I wish all the rowers the very best of luck in this year's races, and long may they continue to revive the spirits of past greats like Clasper, Renforth, Chambers and Taylor in this classic contest', he said.
Dan Cupit said: 'Everyone at Newcastle University Boat Club has been working very hard this season, competing in British universities events and GB trials around the country, but the University Boat Race is a really special event for us. Last year's races were among the closest ever, and we are committed to making this year's event an equally nail-biting experience'.
This year's University Boat Race takes place on the Tyne on Sunday 11 May, with races between the University freshmen's and freshwomen's eights, and men's and women's first (senior) eights will be battled out over an 1,800 metre course on the River Tyne, from Dunston Staithes to the finish line under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The Senior Men's Eights compete for a trophy which is named in honour of Harry Clasper.
The event also includes a junior race, between composite crews from schools in Northumberland, Newcastle and Durham.
In 2007, honours were shared when Newcastle's senior men pulled off an amazing fight back to claim a two length victory over Durham in the last race of the day. Durham's rowers had earlier claimed victory in the freshmen's and senior women's races, after Newcastle's freshwomen's crew got off to a winning start in the first University race of the afternoon.
Although last year's event ended in a tie, with each University claiming honours in two of the four races, Durham University are considered to be the reigning title holders because they have won more of the events outright.
o The 2008 University Boat Race takes place on the River Tyne on Sunday 11 May. Land- and river-based entertainment begins at 12.00 noon, with the first race of the afternoon - the schools' eights - scheduled to start at 1.30 pm
An exhibition about the history of rowing, entitled 'When the Tyne lead the world', is currently on display at The Discovery Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The University Boat Race is supported by Northumbrian Water Limited, Port of Tyne, Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University, Durham University, The Journal, Environment Agency, Volker Stevin, HMS Calliope, Cancer Research UK, The Army.
2. An image of Harry Clasper is available in jpeg format. Please contact Newcastle University press office on 0191 222 5791/7850.
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