Annual Veterans Head of the River race takes place this weekend

Imperial College alumni and students including Olympic Gold medallists to row in annual event - News

Thursday 19 March 2009
By Naomi Weston

A team of sporting heroes will compete this Sunday in the annual Veterans Head of the River rowing race organised by Imperial College’s Boat Club.

Alumni of Imperial College London, including four Olympic rowing gold medallists and a rowing World Championship medallist, will take part in the time trial from Mortlake to Putney.

The team of eight will compete against over 200 veteran crews from rowing clubs all over the UK. To compete in the Veterans race, rowers need to be over the age of 27.

Steve Trapmore (left) will be racing on Sunday

Steve Trapmore, Head of Rowing at the College and Olympic Gold medallist, said the race would be tough: “The last time many of us raced was four or five years ago so it will certainly be a challenge. We are not as fit as we used to be but the race will be good fun and a great opportunity for the alumni of the College to get together.”

The full team is made up of Simon Dennis, Louis Attrill, Kieran West and Steve Trapmore, all gold medal winners at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, plus Dan Ouseley, rowing World Championship Bronze medallist in 2002, George Whittaker, Henley Royal Regatta winner in 2004 and 2008, Seb Pearce, Henley Royal Regatta winner in 2004 and John Dick.

The race starts at 12 noon and runs from Chiswick Bridge to Putney Pier, ending close to Imperial's Boathouse, approximately seventeen minutes later.

The event will be proceeded on Saturday by the Men’s Head of the River Race, which follows the same route. The event takes place in March every year with over 400 crews rowing down the River Thames and is a key event in the rowing calendar. Imperial’s team this year comprises of four student crews of eight and the action kicks off at 11.15am.

Imperial has a strong rowing tradition and students have enjoyed success in a number of prestigious rowing events, including the Henley Royal Regatta, Women’s Henley and British University Sport Championships together with representation in crews at Senior World Championships and Olympic Games over the years.

For more information about the Imperial College Boat Club please visit: www.imperialboatclub.co.uk

For more information about the Imperial Boathouse at Putney please visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/sports/facilities/boathouse