Celebrating Pembroke’s Success at Torpids 2017

This week Pembroke witnessed the spectacle of a traditional boat burning in North Quad to mark the retention of the Torpids Headship by the men’s first boat (M1) for the 6th year in a row.

Fending off rivals Oriel College, on Friday the M1 produced four exceptional rows, highlighted by crossing the finish line three lengths ahead on Saturday.

The Men’s Captain, Chris Liang, commented: ‘After weeks of hard graft, and following a stellar campaign at Henley Fours and Eights, winning the IM1 and IM2 categories, M1 fully deserve to retain Headship and the title of fastest boat on the Isis’.

Whilst the men’s third boat (M3) and fourth boat (M4) missed out on qualification, they delivered a spirited performance. The second boat (M2) fought hard, and finished Torpids 2017 just one place lower than last year.

The women’s Torpids campaign brought mixed results this year and the President of the Pembroke College Boat Club (PCBC), Harriet Bull, commended their determined efforts in spite of setbacks. She said: ‘In a term beset by trying training circumstances, these crews pulled through with outstanding perseverance to produce results to be proud of.’

The women’s first boat (W1) finished 5th on the river and the second boat (W2) began Torpids in  2nd place in division 4 and finished two places higher, bringing them into division 3.  

Pembroke College Boat Club’s Hilary term report contains other news from this season and upcoming events.

Boat burning and jumping over the boat in North Quad to celebrate the Torpids 2017 Headship

A throwback to the Torpids 1999 boat burning in North Quad taken by Pembroke alumnus, Ed Hawkins