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ROWING fans around Malvern will have their eyes glued to the tv when the Oxford and Cambridge crews launch out for the 154th annual Boat Race tomorrow (Saturday, March 29).

But the race holds more significance than to most for Malvern couple Linda and Andrew Scott, whose son Colin has been selected at bow for the Light Blues of Cambridge in the historic event.

Mr and Mrs Scott have already travelled down to London, where they will enjoy social events with the families of other crew members from both sides before getting down to the nail-biting business of cheering on 22-year-old Colin in the big race, which starts at 5.15pm.

Colin, a former Worcester Royal Grammar School rower, is in his fifth and final year at Cambridge, and is set to realise a long-held dream after three appearances in reserve crew Goldie.

Mrs Scott was delighted to learn Colin had made the crew for this year's race.

"I was thrilled for him, and very proud," she said. "The first couple of times there was delight that he had made the reserves, but then last year he came very close to making the main boat which makes his selection all the sweeter this time."

She hopes to be celebrating a Cambridge victory come Saturday evening, but knows it will be a tough ask, with both boats filled with athletes at their very peak condition.

"It will be very exciting, and it's great for Colin because he has worked very hard towards this pinnacle for a very long time," she said. "We know just how much all the rowers put themselves through to prepare for these races. Colin has a lot of race experience behind him, but there are nine equally experienced guys in the other boat, so we will have our fingers crossed and hope it all works out."

Colin, currently a postgraduate student after completing a degree in natural sciences, is heading into a management consulting career when he leaves Cambridge this summer.

He has won medals rowing with the Great Britain junior and U23 squads, and is a familiar face at The Splash gym when he returns to Malvern in university holidays.

3:43pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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