Rowing: Mike Thorp to line up for Cambridge University at 158th Boat Race

Mar 10 2011 Chester Chronicle

CHESTER will be represented at one of the most famous duels in British sport later this month.

Former Chester King’s School pupil Mike Thorp has been selected to row for Cambridge against Oxford at this year’s University Boat Race.

The 20-year-old is studying History at Homerton College, Cambridge, where he enrolled last year for a three-year course.

He started his rowing career at The King’s School in 2004 and, four years later, won the Coupe de la Jeunesse with the GB men’s eight.

Thorp, a budding barrister, already has experience of putting one over old rivals Oxford. He was a member of the ‘Goldie’ crew from Cambridge which triumphed in last year’s reserve Boat Race.

Now in its 158th year, the Boat Race runs from Putney to Mortlake and draws up to 250,000 spectators to the banks of the Thames. Cambridge, winners of the 2010 event, currently lead the series with 80 wins to Oxford’s 75.

The 2011 Xchanging Boat Race is on Saturday, March 26 (5pm start). It will be screened live on BBC One and is also televised to more than 200 countries around the world.