Aberdeen Voice

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Lewis McCue (far left) at the Under 23 World Championships in Bulgaria last year

A Braemar student making waves in rowing hopes to be selected to represent his university in one of the north east’s hardest-fought sporting events. Robert Gordon University student Lewis McCue, an Under 23 Team GB member, hopes to make the cut for the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race, which takes place on March 12.

Taking up the sport at the age of 12, Lewis rose through the ranks of the Aberdeen Schools’ Rowing Association and has since continued his success while at university.

He first represented Great Britain at a national level at the age of 16, and has gone on to compete in the Junior and Under 23 World Rowing Championships.

Applied sports and exercise student Lewis (20) says,

“Like everyone, my rowing career has had its highs and lows but, through years of hard training, I have built up my performance and ability. I have been very lucky to travel all across Europe to train and compete on the world stage, and had the pleasure of winning three gold medals for my home nation – Scotland – at the Commonwealth Games Regatta.

“My rowing highlight so far is winning a silver medal in the coxless fours at the Under 23 World Championships in Bulgaria last year. I was the only rower in Scotland to be awarded a medal at that level, and the experience really made all the training worthwhile.

“There is no other feeling quite like standing on the podium knowing that you are second fastest in the world at your chosen sport.”

It’s no surprise that Lewis excels in rowing: prowess in the sport runs in the family. In 1958, his grandfather rowed for Oxford in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and, although not on the winning side, his passion for rowing is something that rubbed off on Lewis from an early age.

Lewis says,

“I’ve spoken to my grandfather many times about his experiences in rowing, and I’m very proud of what he achieved. When I was 16 we were able to row together, which is something I’ll always remember.

“He and my grandmother came out to watch me in Bulgaria last year, which was the first time they had seen me row for Great Britain. It was quite emotional.”

A veteran of the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race, Lewis hopes to make his third appearance – and win – at the hard-fought race.

He says,

“The Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race is different to other races. At 3.5km, it’s longer than most others and rowing in a mixed crew really changes the dynamic.

“I’ve won the boat race twice before, and I hope to be there again on the start line, ready to lay everything on the line in order to finish first.”

Lewis is one of many rowers hoping to be selected to represent Robert Gordon University at the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race on March 12. The race will see the university pitted against rivals the University of Aberdeen on a gruelling 3.5km stretch of the River Dee.

The final crews will be selected by each club’s president – Erin Wyness of reigning champions Robert Gordon University Boat Club (RGUBC), and Ian Walker of Aberdeen University Boat Club (AUBC) – who will take performance, ability and determination into account.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen, comments,

“Every year I am impressed by the skill and tenacity of the rowers competing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race. The boat club presidents have a difficult task ahead of them selecting their crews, but whatever the choice I know that the race will be an exciting day for both the rowers in the boats and spectators on the riverbank.”

Last year, RGUBC won their fourth consecutive title race by one and three-quarter lengths in a time of eight minutes and 30 seconds. With AUBC eager to reclaim the title, spectators from across the city are expected to line the river to cheer on the crews as they push themselves to the limit to cross the finishing line.

Follow the 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race on Twitter @2016boatrace, Instagram @AAMboatrace and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AAMBoatRace

Erin Wyness (RGU) and Ian Walker (University of Aberdeen) will lead their crews in the 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race.

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

Two Aberdeen universities are set to go head to head in a battle of steely determination on the waters of the River Dee.

Student rowers will face off in the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race – thought to be the city’s hardest-fought sporting competition – on Saturday, March 12 at 4.00pm.

The University of Aberdeen has challenged reigning champions Robert Gordon University (RGU) to a rematch on the River Dee in the hopes they can break RGU’s four year winning streak.

In 2015, RGU won with a time of eight minutes and 30 seconds, beating fierce rivals the University of Aberdeen by one and three-quarter lengths.

Now in its 21st year, the event also includes second crew, alumni and media team races – attracting students, alumni and members of the public down onto the banks of the Dee to cheer on the crews.

Aberdeen University Boat Club president Ian Walker (21) is confident that his crew will be able to live up to their challenge and reclaim the river in March. Medical student Ian, who hails from Edinburgh, says,

“RGU has dominated the river for the last four years, but we are determined to change that. We are already training hard and are confident that 2016 will be the year the trophy will return to the University of Aberdeen boat house.”

Erin Wyness (19), president of RGU Boat Club, is equally determined to bring home the silverware. The Events Management student from Aberdeen says,

“RGU’s rowers this season are on top form, and I really believe that we can extend our winning streak to five years.”

The annual boat race stretches from the Bridge of Dee to the Aberdeen Boat Club, covering 3.5km of water. Each team of eight, and their accompanying coxes, will undergo a gruelling training regime in order to fully prepare for the challenge ahead.

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Principal of RGU, says:

“The Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race is not just a highlight of the academic year, but also of the city’s sporting calendar. The healthy rivalry between RGU and the University of Aberdeen ensures that each crew strives to perform to the best of their abilities. I, for one, cannot wait to be at the riverside to watch the crews battle it out on the water.”

Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, says:

“The passion and determination of both universities’ crews is fantastic. Each year they push themselves to the limit in what is always a close competition which is thrilling to watch from the riverbank. I hope that students, families and the general public will turn out in force to support what is surely Aberdeen’s most exciting annual sporting event.”

Scotland’s longest running boat race continues into its 21st year through the continued support of global investment group, Aberdeen Asset Management.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen, comments:

“The Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race allows the city’s top rowing talent the chance to put into practice the skills they have worked hard to hone over the past year. The rivalry between universities extends beyond the crews on the water and into the spectators on the shore, who are always vocal in their support of the two teams. Aberdeen is delighted to once again back the Universities’ Boat Race in 2016.”

Follow the 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race on Twitter @2016boatrace, Instagram @AAMboatrace and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AAMBoatRace