Fatscullers Preview: Cambridge v Washington..
Here is my seat by seat analysis
Bow
Cambridge: Milan Bruncvik (Czech Republic) 28 years old, 6ft 1, 172lbs raced in the M4- at the London Olympics
Huskies: Julian Svoboda (New Zealand) 21 years old, 6ft 5 JM4X bronze 2009
Advantage: Cambridge
2
Cambridge: Grant Wilson (USA) 22 years old, 6ft 3, 199lbs, rowed at Penn
Huskies: Alex Perkins (USA) 19 years old, 6ft 4, 194lbs, won the Temple in 2012
advantage: Huskies
3
Cambridge: Ty Otto (USA) 24 years old, 6ft 7, 196lbs ex-Husky, wolrd U23 champion 2011
Huskies: Sam Dommer (USA) 6ft 2 Temple winner in 2010
advantage: Cambridge
4
Cambridge: Steve Dudek (USA) 24 year old, 6ft 8, 228lbs, Blue 2012
Huskies: Marcus Bowyer (GB) 19 years old, 6ft 6 Junior international 2010-11, Temple winner in 2012
advantage: even
5
Cambridge: Alexander Scharp (Australia) 25 years old, 6ft 6, 197lbs Blue 2012, raced at the U23 worlds 2008-10
Huskies: Alex Bunkers (USA) 22 years old, 186lbs, U23 world champion 2011-12
Advantage: Huskies
6
Cambridge: Niles Garratt (USA) 24 years old, 6ft 4, 199lbs Blue 2012, raced at the U23 worlds in 2011
Huskies: Conlin McCabe (Canada) 22 years old, 6ft 8, 220lbs Olympic silver medalist at London
Advantage: Huskies
7
Cambridge: George Nash (GB) 23 years old, 6ft 4, 212lbs, Olympic bronze madalist London
Huskies: Henry Meek (Australia) 6ft 4 Temple winner 2012
Advantage: Cambridge
Stroke:
Cambridge: Alexander Fleming (Australia) 22 years old, 6ft 5, 215lbs ex-Brown
Huskies: Dusan Milovanovic (Serbia) 22 years old, 6ft 3, 176lbs raced U23 worlds in 2009, won the Temple in 2010
Advantage: Huskies
Cox
Cambridge: Henry Fieldman (GB) 24 years old, U23 Worlds 2008-10, European Championships 2012
Huskies: Lisa Caldwell (USA) won the Temple in 2012
advantage: Cambridge
So, by my “rough ‘n ready” reckoning Cambridge have the advantage in 4 seats, win the Huskies up in 4 and one tied.
The cox will play a crucial part on the Tideway. Cambridge’s Fieldman is not only a highly experienced international cox, he also has a lot of Tideway experience having learnt his trade at Latymer and then at UL (both on the Championship course).
It’s also interesting to note that Cambridge actually have more Americans in their boat than do Washington.
So who do I think will win? It’s going to be close. Obviously the Huskies have a fearsome reputation, but Cambridge have put together what looks lie a very, very fast boat (they can afford to leave out 2 time Blue Mike Thorp and GB trials runner up Rowan Lawson).
Assuming there will be 2 pieces to the match at the weekend I reckon honours will be even.
Should be fun!