Two St Edmund’s students, Alyssa Nicholls and Lauren Schneiderman, recently represented the College at the Women’s Trial VIIIs on 18th December 2025, a key fixture in the Cambridge University rowing calendar and an important step towards The Boat Race.
Held each December, Trial VIIIs give rowers and coxes the opportunity to race over the full Championship Course on the Thames for the only time before April. The event plays a central role in team selection and offers invaluable experience of racing under true Boat Race conditions.
Alyssa and Lauren competed in opposing crews, Scary and Sporty, in a tightly contested race that reflected the high standard of women’s rowing across the University. The crews raced under a Spice Girls theme. After an intense and closely matched race, Scary edged ahead in the closing stages, winning by just one third of a length.
Alyssa raced as part of the Scary crew, while Lauren represented St Edmund’s as cox of Sporty, steering her crew through the demands of the course. Reaching Trial VIIIs is a significant achievement, reflecting months of training, commitment and teamwork.
We congratulate both students on reaching Trial VIIIs and representing St Edmund’s with distinction. We’re excited to follow Alyssa Nicholls as preparations continue towards The Boat Race on 3–4 April.
