Would-be airman aiming to rule river

He is more used to be being in the air, but Aberdeen University student Alex Ralston has water in his sights as he hopes to help his team end Robert Gordon University’s five-year winning run in the Aberdeen Boat Race next month.

If chosen, the20-year-old cox and his fellow rowers in the mixed eight crew will face the champions in the 3.5km race along the River Dee on March 4.

Geology and petroleum geology student Ralston has ambitions to join the Royal Air Force, but believes being in the boat has parallels with taking to the air.

He said: “Flying a plane is one of the best feelings in the world. My grandfather was in the Air Force, so it’s been a lifelong ambition of mine to become a pilot.

“But there are similarities between being out on the water and up in the air. There’s a real emphasis on teamwork in both disciplines, and a chain of command to follow. As cox, it’s my job to instruct the crew and I like that feeling.

“The crew trains together up to 12 times a week, so we really put the hours in. Plus, we’re always socialising with each other. There’s a great sense of camaraderie.

Ralston, originally from Perth, Western Australia, moved to Perth, Scotland at the age of eight, and he is eager to make amends for missing out on victory last year. Last year’s race was the closest in the 21-year history of the race with both teams bettering the course record only for RGU’s crew to win by a quarter of a length.

Ralston said: “The RGU crew looked incredibly strong, but we went out with a defiant attitude and almost had it. It was a close race and the adrenaline was pumping, but in the end we didn’t quite make it. We’re confident this year.”

Alex Ralston