City varsity boat race crews ready to pull a fast one on the Dee

Aberdeen Boat Race organisers are predicting this year’s contest could set new records.

The 28th staging of the annual River Dee race between the Granite City’s two universities is on Saturday March 11.

Aberdeen University won it last year, covering the 3.5km (2.2 miles) course in eight minutes and 22 seconds.

Aberdeen now have 19 wins to Robert Gordon University’s eight since the first race took place in 1996.

But RGU Boat Club president Michael Troy, a fourth-year biology student, thinks they have what it takes to claim back the bragging rights.

He said: “I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s race. I have such strong belief in our crew this year.

“We have such a great team spirit and cohesiveness and I feel we have a great chance of winning.

“We’d encourage all to come down to the river on the day and watch all events as they’re assured to be as exciting as one another.

“This is the highlight of our year, representing our universities.

“Putting all our time training for this event on the line – to win against our counterparts.”

One bragging right RGU do hold is the course record, which they set back in 2016 at a scorching seven minutes and 38 seconds – 44 seconds quicker than Aberdeen’s winning time from last year.

Michael’s rival on the day is Kirstin McCallum, president of the Aberdeen University Boat Club and a fourth-year economics student.

She thinks 2023 is shaping up to be a fast race.

She said: “Both universities have been training very hard and it’s shaping up to be the closest boat race we’ve seen in a while.

“I hope the strength of the squads and some healthy competition between us will push us to finish in quick times on the day.

“Both crews will be fighting right to the line so it will be a great race to come and watch.”

Supporters are encouraged to head down to Aberdeen Boat Club on March 11 to cheer on their respective sides.

The day’s first race, for the university second crews, will begin at 2.35pm, before the alumni race, with the main race at 3.45pm.

Testing the crews’ physical and mental endurance to the limit, it takes each competitor around 5,500 strokes.

Young blades Kirstin McCallum and Michael Troy.