Shropshire rower Fred Gill set for University Boat Race
Thursday 1st April 2010, 11:38AM BST.
Fred Gill, front facing, prepares for the University Boat Race
Shropshire rower Fred Gill was today getting in his final preparations before crewing for Cambridge in the annual University Boat Race this weekend.
The 24-year-old oarsman and former Shrewsbury School pupil took to the water with his team-mates to get in some last-minute training before Saturday’s showdown with Oxford.
Raced over four-and-a-quarter miles from Putney to Mortlake, the Boat Race dates back to 1829 and is one of the world’s oldest surviving sporting fixtures.
Mr Gill said today: “It is a massive event, watched by 100 million people in 200 countries and 200,000 on the river bank.
“When you think it’s 181 years old, that’s amazing and a real privilege to be a small part of.”
Mr Gill said that while Oxford may be favourites, he was confident of running them close.
“It could be close, perhaps under a length, so any slight mistake could be fatal.”
He added: “The key is no mistakes. Cambridge made mistakes in the last two races – that’s why they lost.”
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