Four Jesuans selected for the Boat Race 2023
Congratulations to Jenna Armstrong (2020), Isabelle Bastian (2022), and Seb Benzecry (2020), who have been selected to row in the Blues Boats for The Gemini Boat Race 2023, and to Sean Hayes (2022), who will be in the reserve boat Goldie.
It means Jesus has more students racing in the Blue Boats on Sunday March 26 than any other Oxbridge College. Here's a bit more about them.
“Rowing at Cambridge is a huge privilege and I love every minute of it.” - Jenna Armstrong
Jenna Armstrong
Jenna, who is undertaking a Physiology PhD at Jesus, has been rowing since 2011. She sees her biggest rowing achievement so far as winning the Division III National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships in 2015. She previously raced in the Cambridge women's reserve boat (Blondie) in the Gemini Boat Race 2022. She describes herself as having bundles of “enthusiasm mixed with a whole lot of energy”.
“I love the incredible teammates, and I love the nature of the sport, of constantly pushing yourself to improve.” - Isabelle Bastian
Isabelle Bastian
Isabelle is studying for a Health, Medicine and Society MPhil at Jesus, and has been rowing since 2013. She says that her proudest rowing moment was contributing to her team’s return to the NCAA championships in 2019. This will be her first time rowing in the Boat Race. She describes herself as “very even-keeled and loyal”.
“I am continually inspired by my teammates. Being part of a rowing team each year for the past 12 years has been such a privilege.” - Seb Benzecry
Seb Benzecry
Seb is doing a Film and Screen Studies Master's at Jesus, and has been rowing since 2011. He was part of the winning 2021 Blue Boat in the Boat Race - what he sees as his proudest rowing moment - and he also rowed in the Cambridge men's reserve boat (Goldie) in 2022. He describes himself as “motivated and willing to throw everything into rowing”.
Sean Hayes
Sean is studying an Architecture and Urban Studies MPhil at Jesus, and began rowing when he was 11 years old. He sees his biggest rowing achievement as placing fourth at the World Rowing Junior World Championships in 2016. He has never raced in the Boat Race before, and says that he is "beyond stoked to race Oxford".
Jonathan Conder, Head Coach and Manager of Jesus College Boat Club, said: "Congratulations to all the Jesuans who have been selected to represent Cambridge in the forthcoming boat races against Oxford. We wish them every success."
In the Blues Boats last year, Cambridge retained their title as winners of the Women’s Boat Race for the fifth consecutive year, two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Oxford. Both crews broke the course record, set in 2017, with Cambridge setting in a new time of 18:23. Cambridge men will be hoping to take back the crown, as last year Oxford men broke Cambridge’s five-year winning streak in the Men’s Boat Race, winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths in a time of 16:42.
Times:
The 77th Women’s Boat Race 4pm
Women’s Reserve Race (Osiris vs Blondie) 4.15pm
Men's Reserve Race (Isis vs Goldie) 4.30pm
The 168th Men’s Boat Race 5pm
Find out more about the 2023 Boat Race, including where to watch the race if you’re travelling to London. You can also watch live coverage from 3.30pm on BBC One, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app. Look out for a pre-recorded interview with Isabelle as part of the pre-race build-up on BBC One.
