Larkin Sayre aims to build on platforms set at Cambridge University Women's Boat Club in preparation for 2020 Boat Races

Larkin Sayre feels honoured to have been elected as president of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club.

The 24-year-old Emmanuel College student was chosen by her peers to lead the Light Blues into the 2020 Boat Races.

Sayre was encouraged to stand given her depth of experience at Goldie Boathouse, which has seen her row in the two openweight crews – helping Blondie to victory in 2018 and the Blue boat to success in 2019.

“I felt like I was in a good position to serve the team well having done two years with the squad,” she said.

“I was in Blondie in my first year and then in the Blue boat so I understood the experience of both of those crews.

“I talked to a lot of different people who supported me running so I felt like there was will within the team and it felt like the time was right.

“I worked closely with Abba (Parker), the president this year, and I know Daphne (Martschenko) really well as she was in Blondie with me in 2018, and those were the two previous presidents.

“I really understood the role, so felt this was the time to put myself forward and I was very honoured to be elected.”

Sayre will be assisted on the junior committee by vice-president, and current housemate, Laura Foster; lightweight captain Catherine Walker; and lightweights’ vice-captain Lata Persson.

“We also will work closely with Teague Smith and Sam Armstrong, as the lightweight men’s president and vice-president,” said Sayre.

“We will have six people on junior committee.

“It was five members last year, including openweights and lightweights, and they really had their hands full so I think the more the merrier in terms of trying to get the organisational things done. It’s a really big job.”

Cambridge have won the past three Boat Races, and the last four reserve races as well, so Sayre has a good platform from which to build for the next academic year.

“We definitely are in a good position with a really solid training plan,” she said.

“We have Rob Weber (chief coach) continuing in his position so he now really understands the race – last year was his first time but he learned so quickly and was incredible.

“We have Paddy (Ryan) our assistant coach returning this year and his knowledge of the Tideway and everything Boat Race-related is incredible, so there are a ton of things
going for us.”

Sayre also had words of praise for out-going president Abigail Parker, with the pair having rowed alongside each other in last weeek’s May Bumps.

“Abba is one of the most experienced rowers I’ve ever met, incredibly hard-working, really organised. She leaves huge shoes to fill,” said the PhD in material sciences student.

“Abba will be on the team as well and is a really close friend so has already started to give me all the transition notes to make sure I’m ready for the role.

“There will be really good continuity there.”