Will Robert Gordon University’s athletes hold onto the title this year? Or will rivals the University of Aberdeen - who have claimed the trophy an astonishing 12 times in the 15 year history - scoop the honours once again?
Only time will tell as the countdown to this weekend’s ‘Battle of the Blades’ – the 15th Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race - begins.
A legion of fans including Aberdeen’s Lord Provost are expected to line the banks of the River Dee on Sunday (February 28) to cheer on the teams as they battle it out for the coveted title by racing 3.5km from the Bridge of Dee to Aberdeen Boat Club in Torry.
The event, which is sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, is Scotland’s longest-running rowing race and features the universities’ finest rowing athletes.
RobertGordon University’s boat club president Craig Marjoribanks, whose team won last year, will challenge his Aberdeen University counterpart Tania Griffin.
Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “I wish both teams the best of luck. This is a major event that puts Aberdeen and its talented rowers under the sport’s UK spotlight. Aberdeen Asset Management will be out in force to cheer both teams on and I encourage people to join us in what is always an exhilarating race to watch.”
The exciting build up to the big race starts at 11.55am with a 2nd Crew boat race, an Alumni boat race, before local media celebrities add to the day’s entertainment by racing against each other in the Media Challenge Cup.
The challenge will feature teams from the Evening Express, The Press and Journal and STV who will race in coxed ‘tub’ pairs over 300m of the River Dee.