Last Thursday the official challenges of the BNY Mellon Boat Race and the Newton Women’s Boat Race were issued by Cambridge at the autumn reception, which acknowledges the start of the Boat Race season.

Traditionally, the official challenges are laid down at the start of every season by the president of the previous race’s losing University Boat Club to the president of the victorious club. Both the Oxford men’s and women’s boats won the 2013 races, so it was up to Steve Dudek and Esther Momcilovic of Cambridge to issue the challenges on behalf of the Light Blue Clubs.

The reception was a glamorous affair held at the offices of the men’s sponsor, BNY Mellon. Among the guests were four time Olympic gold medallist and Oxford alumnus, Sir Matthew Pinsent, and London 2012 gold medallist and Cambridge Blue, Anna Watkins, who was unveiled as the new BNY Mellon Boat Race ambassador.

Anna will work alongside the BNY Mellon Boat Race Team over the season to develop greater awareness and participation in rowing. Commenting on her new role, Anna said “It is a real honour for me to become ambassador for the BNY Mellon Boat Race. Rowing has really captured the public’s imagination since the London Olympics. I am delighted to have this opportunity to play a role in such a globally-recognised event.”

Speaking fondly of her university days, Anna added that she was grateful to have had the opportunity to row while at Cambridge, and pleased that she has managed to take it as far as the Olympics. She nonetheless emphasised the fact that she now has to be completely unbiased when it comes to the two teams, in her newly-acquired capacity of ambassador.

With all the free-flowing champagne provided by Bollinger, one of the official partners, and the large number of illustrious sports people and business people alike in attendance, it was easy to forget that what was being celebrated was, after all, a student event.

The owners of the large number of dark and light blue blazers told a different story. Less used to the spotlight and more focused on the two trophies towering over the guests, the rowing rivals eyed each other across the room, reminding those who might have forgotten that this was a serious matter.

Steve Dudek, the Cambridge President, described the evening as “exciting,” because “it’s the first time we see Oxford in public – it all becomes real”. Although the challenge represents the official recognition of the Boat Race season, the squad has been training 12 times a week since late August.

Speaking about the development of the Club so far, he considered himself “very pleased with the progress we’ve made and pleasantly surprised by the fitness and rowing capability demonstrated by a lot of the guys.” Compared to previous years, he described his squad to be “physically the strongest we’ve ever had – the fitness is pretty much through the roof,” although “in terms of rowing ability we’re pretty rough, as some of the guys haven’t rowed for Cambridge before – but they are very willing to work hard and improve.”

On the women’s side, returning Blues Caroline Reid and Holly Game were equally excited about the new season: “training is really good, really promising, there is a big change from last year. We now have twice the number of people we had last year, almost 40, which brings a more competitive edge as well as a drive to self-betterment.”

With so much enthusiasm and optimism, it’s difficult not to raise your hopes that this year will finally be a Light Blue one. Following last year’s results, we can only hope that some lessons have been learnt and victory will be on our side come 30th March, when the Newton Women’s Boat Race will take place, as well as 6th April, the date of the BNY Mellon Men’s Boat Race.