The Fairbairn Cup

Coxes' Notes

Advice for steering the Fairbairns course, start and finish marshalling, and the detailed circulation-pattern map.

Before you race

Steering the course

Fairbairns can be a tricky course to steer, particularly as there are corners you are unlikely to have tackled at race pace before. Talk to senior coxes at your club for advice on your race plan and cornering.

All coxes, and the bank parties of novice crews, must read the Coxes' Notes and the Rules and Regulations before racing. Maps of the start marshalling circulation pattern and both finish areas are below.

PDFCoxes' NotesFull document (PDF) →Rules & RegulationsRules, safety plan and coxes' notes →The courseStarts, finishes and marshalling
Maps

Start & finish maps

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Map of the start marshalling area from Jesus Lock to Jesus College Boathouse, showing crew waiting positions and the circulation pattern

The first 10 crews must be in the Start Marshalling Area 30 minutes before the division’s published start, and all other crews 20 minutes before. The first half of the division waits pulled in on the Fort St George side, pointing downstream; the second half waits on the boathouse side, pointing upstream. Once the first 10 crews have started, the Fort St George side moves up to the start and the second half rows to Jesus Lock and spins. Keep the circulation moving without stopping.

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Map of the finish area from the Railway Bridge to Grassy Corner, showing the Novice VIII finish at the Railings, the spin zone beyond Grassy Corner and pull-in positions

Keep rowing at light pressure after the finish until a marshal tells you to stop, spin and pull in. Crews finishing here must spin beyond Grassy Corner, then row back upstream and pull in along Plough Reach or the towpath side as directed by marshals. Never push off a moored boat with an oar under water.

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Map of the Senior VIII finish at Little Bridge, downstream of the A14 bridge, with the spin zone before Baits Bite Lock and pull-in positions

Senior VIIIs finish at Little Bridge, downstream of the A14 motorway bridge. Keep rowing until a marshal instructs you to stop, then spin in the spin zone just before Baits Bite Lock and pull in as directed.

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