Currently studying general engineering as an undergraduate. Was born and still lives in Barnes – one of The Boat Race’s famous landmarks. Came to Cambridge because his maths teacher at school, a former rugby Blue, said he would enjoy the engineering tripos there. Learnt to row at school and says that coaches Paul Reedie and Dr Andy Mayfield have both been influential and that his rugby and rowing coaches have both taught him how important it is to “have a good mentality”. Rowed in the Coupe de la Jeunesse in 2004, and stroked an eight which won the junior men’s eight at the Munich International Regatta. Competed for Great Britain at the 2006 World U23 Championships and was sixth in the lightweight men’s four. During his gap year Marco coached at Hamilton Boys High School in New Zealand. His older brother Aaron was a world junior championships standard rower and captained the Oxford lightweight men’s eight.

Playing number 6 in the back row, Alastair began rowing to help him keep fit for rugby. His father was a keen rower and rowed in the Blue Boat for Cambridge in 1975 whilst his brother rowed in the junior set-up. Ali then followed in their footsteps in taking up the sport more seriously and this year achieved the highlight of his rowing career to date by rowing in the Goldie 07 crew. He also competed at the Junior World Championships in 2005 where he won a bronze in the coxless Four.

Born in Hammersmith, Richard grew up in Wimbledon and attended King’s College. It was here he started rowing at the age of 13 because he “thought it might be fun.” Richard is now a final year student on a Mathematics course at Girton College.

John is an MPhil in Education student on a sabbatical from teaching maths and coaching rowing at a school in Ontario. He is currently focussing on International Maths Education and will be returning to Branksome Hall School after his year at Cambridge. As the eldest member of the CUBC squad, John would be the oldest ever competitor in the history of The Boat Race. He trialled for the 1996 Olympics and was in the Spare Pair in 1995 for the Canadian National Squad. John will have 20 friends and family travelling from Canada to watch him compete and says Steve Redgrave is his inspiration.

A Computer Speech, Text and Internet Technology student having previously graduated in Information Technology from Syracuse University. Bartosz began rowing 12 years ago when the current Polish rowing coach was teaching PE at his school. He finished 8th in the Men’s Eight at the World Championships in Milan 2003. The following year, he came 6th in the Men’s Four in the U23 World Championships and 1st in the coxless Four at the University World Championships in Brive, France. Away from rowing, Bartosz enjoys fishing and the polish tradition of mushroom picking. Bartosz hopes to study a PhD and trial for the Beijing Olympics.

President of CUBC who rowed in the 2007 winning Blue Boat. Dan developed his rowing skills back in Brockville, Ontario, and went on to win the US Nationals. He competed for the Canadian National Team in 2005 in the Men’s Four. He has been a Canadian High School Rowing Champion and has 5 Canadian Henley titles: Junior Men’s Pair (twice), U23 Men’s Eight, Men’s Four and Men’s Pair. Before joining Cambridge, Dan gained a degree in History & Political Sciences from Syracuse University and is currently in his second year of a 3 year long Land Economy degree.

A final year Philosophy student. Dave has been rowing for 8 years after taking it up at his local club. He joined his school rowing club (The King’s School Chester Rowing Club) where he began a more serious rowing programme. Whilst there, he represented GB at the GB-France U16 match - winning in the Eights and at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, winning Bronze, again in the Eights. In 2007, he went on to stroke Goldie to a 4 length victory.

Spencer has been rowing for 8 years, after having taken up the sport as a means to stay fit in the ice-hockey off-season during the spring back home in the US. His rowing highlight to date was rowing in the Spare Pair in 2006. An American national, Spencer is on a 1 year course studying an M.Phil in Management. His undergraduate degree was in Physics and Economics from Cornell University where he was the varsity Cycling Match and University Hockey Champion.

In the final year of a PhD, Russ started rowing back in 2000. His rowing achievements include 3 victories rowing in Goldie from 2005, winning the Lady’s Plate at Henley Royal Regatta in 2005 and winning the men’s and women’s elite Fours at the Fours Head Regatta. Also an accomplished boxer, Russ gained his featherweight Boxing Blue in 2007 and was a two times District Wrestling Champion in High School. He has a strong interest in US/Chinese relations, and after completing his PhD in Chinese Studies, Russ hopes to work in US Chinese policy.