The Fairbairn Cup

Fairbairn Cup Races 2026 - Rules and Regulations GENERAL 1. The race shall remain under the control of Jesus College Boat Club. 2. The races shall be rowed on the ninth Thursday and ninth Friday of the Michaelmas term (in 2026: Thursday 3 December and Friday 4 December). The Novice VIIIs row on Thursday, and the Senior College Student, Alumni and Invitational VIIIs and IVs on Friday. ENTRIES AND ELIGIBILITY 3. The races are open to Open and Women's VIIIs, and Open and Women's coxed IVs, subject to rules 3.b to 3.d of the CUCBC Regulations for Racing. Crews may row in any design of boat (no separate categories for shell and clinker). Each crew member should have completed at least eight practice outings, and the coxswain must have steered the appropriate course in its entirety, before race day. The coxswain or a representative of every novice crew must have attended the Clare Novices Regatta meeting, where the Fairbairns Secretary gives information and advice about the races. 4. College Divisions: Only resident bona fide student members of the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford or Durham, or Anglia Ruskin, may row or steer in the College Divisions (in statu pupillari: a matriculated member of a College reading for a recognised degree and meeting residence requirements). Anglia Ruskin degree students count as College members; the Clinical Medical and Veterinary Schools may compete as Colleges, and their members may row for their College or their School until the end of the academic year of their final exams. Postgraduates are eligible until the end of the term of their first viva or final examination. Current university trialists may not row or steer for their College (University boats may race for time only). Other members need the Fairbairns Secretary's approval, sought within the first six weeks of Michaelmas term. 5. Invitational & Alumni Divisions: Crews containing members who do not meet the College eligibility criteria may enter the appropriate Invitational or Alumni divisions. Non-alumni of a Cambridge college may race in the Alumni division only with the Fairbairns Secretary's approval. 6. Status: A 'Novice' crew is one in which no rower has rowed, and no coxswain has coxed, prior to September of the current year. College 1st Lent and May VIII colours may not row in crews below their 2nd VIII. If a college enters a second boat but no first boat, the Fairbairns Secretary may classify the second boat as a first boat in the results. 7. Entries: No college may enter more than four Open and four Women's Novice crews (more only with the Fairbairns Secretary's permission, confirmed after entries close at 18:00 GMT on Thursday 19 November). Entries are capped at 270 boats: 50 per Open/Women's novice VIII division, 55 per Open/Women's senior VIII division and 60 in the senior IV & alumni VIII division. If oversubscribed, priority is: Cambridge College student crews, other universities' College student crews, Cambridge College alumni crews, then all others (fees refunded to crews that cannot race). The entry fee is £105 per VIII and £58 per IV, payable to 'Jesus College Boat Club' (bank details are in the entry form). The start order follows the previous year's finishing order, then new entrants; requests to change the start order or increase a time gap (with evidence, e.g. race times) must reach the Fairbairns Secretary at least seven days before the races. Scratching must be notified in writing. Boat sharing is allowed at the crews' own risk; divisions will not be delayed for it. Each division slot contains crews of one class only; crews racing in another slot row for time only (Invitational VIIIs may race in either senior division). SAFETY 8. It is the responsibility of each crew to comply with the British Rowing Water Safety Code, with particular regard to heel restraints, bow balls and coxes' life-jackets. A crew deemed not to meet the required safety standards will not be allowed to race. 9. Cancellation: The final decision to cancel racing rests with the JCBC Fairbairns Secretary after consultation with the organising committee and advice from the CUCBC Chairman. Full reimbursement of entry fees cannot be guaranteed. 10. Liability: JCBC does not accept fault or liability for accidents not directly resulting from negligence by the event organisers. 11. Bank Parties: A limit of four people per bank party; all members must have a functional bell. THE RACE 12. Proceeding to the Start: All crews must proceed directly to the Start Marshalling Area (downstream of Jesus Lock, upstream of the Jesus College Boat House flagpole). Crews may warm up but must clear the river by 8:30am. The first ten crews in each division must be in the Start Marshalling Area 30 minutes before the published start; all other crews 20 minutes before. Crews follow the circulation pattern (map at jesusboatclub.co.uk/coxes-notes) and must obey Race Marshals at all times. 13. The Start: A crew's rolling start begins at the flagpole on top of Goldie Boat House, with the call "Attention, Go." Race timing begins as the bow ball passes the flagpole outside Jesus College Boat House. 14. Overtaking: No crew may attempt to overtake before Bumps Top Finish (the post immediately downstream of Green Dragon Bridge). Any boat being overtaken shall give way in good time, causing minimal obstruction. Failing to give way after three or more umpire warnings attracts a penalty. The overtaking cox must make their intention known well in advance. 15. The Finish: Senior and Invitational VIII divisions finish at the Little Bridge (downstream of the A14 bridge, upstream of Baitsbite Lock); Novice VIIIs at the Railings on the Long Reach; all IVs and the Alumni VIIIs at the Red Grind Post (opposite the Plough). Timing is to the nearest second; crews within 1.00 second are deemed to have tied. Provisional times are posted at the Jesus College Boat House and at jesusboatclub.co.uk/fairbairns. 16. Finish Marshalling: After the finish, crews reduce speed but continue rowing until instructed to stop and spin by a marshal, then marshal on the towpath side. Crews await permission to row back to their boathouse after all crews have finished. Crews in the last division must carry lights. PENALTIES 17. Penalties (at the discretion of the Fairbairns Secretary): repeated failure to obey a marshal - 2s per offence; late arrival at Start Marshalling - 5s; late boating - 5s; warm-up paddle after 8:30am - disqualification or race for time only; bank party of 5+ - 5s; overtaking before Bumps Top Finish (Green Dragon Bridge) - disqualification; deliberate or avoidable impedance of a faster crew - race for time only; failure to continue rowing after the finish - 5s; rowing home without permission - race for time only; other offences affecting the races - 2-10s; anything affecting safety - disqualification. 18. Disputes and Appeals: A single representative of each affected crew may state their case to the Fairbairns Secretary within four hours of the published division start time. The final decision rests with the Fairbairns Secretary. OTHER 19-22. JCBC may alter these rules at any time with reasonable notice. The Coxes' Notes form an additional, enforceable part of these rules. Enquiries: jcbc-fbsecretary@jcsu.jesus.cam.ac.uk.

Fairbairns can be a fairly tricky course to steer, particularly as there are corners you are not likely to have tackled at race pace before. Talk to senior coxes at your club about your race plan and cornering, and read the Rules and Regulations before racing. BEFORE BOATING Before your crew can be allowed to race, under CUCBC and British Rowing safety regulations, you must check that: • You are wearing a serviced and in-date lifejacket. • Your boat has a bow ball. • Heel restraint and shoe quick-release cords are properly attached at all seats. • All hatches are closed and properly sealed, or flotation bags are fitted. Collect your race numbers from Jesus College Boathouse at least 45 minutes before your division's published start time. Three numbers are issued per crew: one for the cox's back, one for bow's racing kit and one for bow's pre-race outer kit; they must be visible to the Marshals at all times. Warm up on land (ergs or running): there is not enough room on the river for every crew to paddle. If you do pre-paddle, you must be off the water by 8:30am. Bring enough outer clothing to stay warm while marshalling, and a plastic bag to keep it dry. Novice crews must be accompanied by a bank party at all times; the maximum bank party is four. START MARSHALLING The first 10 crews must be within the Start Marshalling Area 30 minutes before the division's published start time, and all other crews 20 minutes before. Latecomers who delay the start receive a 5-second penalty. Crews pull into the bank upstream of Goldie Boathouse: the first half of the division pointing downstream on the Fort St George side, the second half pointing upstream on the boathouse side. Once the first 10 crews have started, the rest of the Fort St George side moves up and the second half rows to Jesus Lock and spins. Crews may get out only if in position and not obstructing, and must get back in when told. Keep the circulation moving. THE START Move up to the start (outside Goldie Boathouse) and raise your hand; lower it when straight and ready. After roughly 30-second gaps the Starter calls "Attention, Go." Do a rolling start (no sprint start); timing begins at the Jesus College Boathouse flagpole. Move off on the "Go", stay in the middle of the river and away from moored boats. OVERTAKING There is no overtaking before Bumps Top Finish (post just downstream of Chesterton Footbridge); crews breaking this rule are disqualified. If you expect to catch the crew ahead before Top Finish with a 30-second gap, ask the Fairbairns Secretary for a larger gap at least 7 days before race day, with evidence (race times). When overtaking or being overtaken, the slower crew gives way; deliberate impedance is penalised. If you were impeded, tell a Finish Marshal straight away. There are no time adjustments. CRASHING OUT If you crash, clear the river as quickly as possible: another crew could be close behind. Your crew must stay responsive and stay with the boat if in the water. Only push off again if no crews behind you would be impeded. FINISH A crew has finished when the bow ball crosses the line, marked by a horn: • Novice VIIIs: the railings on the Long Reach. • Senior College and Invitational VIIIs: Little Bridge downstream of the Motorway Bridge. • Senior College and Invitational IVs, and some alumni crews: Red Grind Post (upstream post opposite the Plough). Keep rowing at light pressure until a finish marshal tells you to stop, spin and pull in. On every day, all crews must spin beyond Grassy Corner, then pull in along Plough Reach or the towpath side as directed. Never push off a moored boat with an oar underwater. Get dry clothing on straight away; tell a Finish Marshal if anyone is getting too cold. ROWING HOME You may return only once the entire division has finished; JCBC crews go first so they can marshal later divisions. Row home steadily and obey normal navigation rules. Times are not available from Finish Marshals; results are published online and at the Jesus College Boathouse after the day's racing. MARSHALS AND MEDICAL Marshals wear yellow bibs; Senior Umpires wear red coats, carry radios and are in contact with the Fairbairns Secretary. Obey all instructions. First aiders are at the Jesus College Boathouse between divisions and on bikes along the course during racing: ask a Marshal first. In a medical emergency, move downstream to a clear section of bank; never stop mid-river or try to spin. Questions: jcbc-fbsecretary@jcsu.jesus.cam.ac.uk. THE CORNERS (advice for newcomers) Have a race plan: the senior course takes most crews over 15 minutes. Cycle the course beforehand if you are new to Cambridge. Elizabeth Way (the Road Bridge): Near the start; line up correctly to take the tightest line under the bridge. Chesterton corner: A tight corner; turn in early (maximum rudder) and use your rowers to help you round. Ditton Corner: Approach on the right-hand side and turn in fairly late. Grassy Corner: Probably the tightest on the course. Approach close to the left bank, don't turn in too early, and be prepared for the double apex. First Post Corner: Very similar to Ditton Corner. There is no substitute for viewing (or coxing) the corners in person before racing. Good luck and have fun! Vova Chub, Fairbairns Secretary 2026

Event Safety Plan - The Fairbairn Cup 2026 Fairbairn Secretary: Vova Chub (jcbc-fbsecretary@jcsu.jesus.cam.ac.uk). Safety Advisor: Jonathan Conder (JCBC Boatman, boatman@jesus.cam.ac.uk). DATES AND TIMES Thursday 3rd December 2026 - 09:15 Open Novice VIIIs; 11:30 Women's Novice VIIIs; 14:00 Open/Women's Novice VIIIs (Lower Boats). Novice course: Jesus College Boathouse to The Railings (on the Reach). Friday 4th December 2026 - 09:30 Open Senior VIIIs; 12:00 Women's Senior VIIIs; 14:15 Senior IVs + Alumni VIIIs. Senior VIIIs course: Jesus College Boathouse to the Little Bridge (just past the A14 Bridge). Senior IVs + Alumni VIIIs course: Jesus College Boathouse to The Plough, Fen Ditton. To avoid overcrowding at the finish, there is a maximum of 50 novice crews, 55 crews per open and women's category (incl. invitational boats) and 60 crews in the Senior IVs + Alumni VIIIs division. Crews are set off with a minimum 30-second gap, which may be increased on request to the Fairbairn Secretary. Before each division, umpires check the course is clear. The organisers reserve the right to reduce entries and shorten the course depending on weather. All crews must obey the instructions of the race marshals; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Please notify the organisers of any medical conditions (such as diabetes or epilepsy) that could affect a crew member's ability to row safely; crews may be excluded if seen fit. FIRST AID Two cyclist response teams are booked from 8:30am to 4:30pm, stationed between the P&E and the Finish marshalling point, in radio contact with the Fairbairn Secretary and Senior Marshals, able to respond to any first-aid requirement along the whole course. MARSHALLING AT THE START Crews boat from their boathouses and marshal between Goldie Boathouse and Jesus Lock with an anticlockwise circulation: crews in the lower half of the division line up on the northward side and those in the upper half on the southern side. All crews are instructed by marshals (members of JCBC). MARSHALLING ALONG THE COURSE JCBC provides static marshals positioned at corners and narrow sections, plus Senior Umpires (experienced members) cycling along the course. Senior Umpires and key static marshals carry radios and are in constant contact with Control at Jesus Boathouse, the Start and Finish timers, and the first aiders. Marshals are positioned at: the Start, Emma Footbridge, under the Flyover, opposite the Combined Boathouses, Riverside Bridge, the path into Stourbridge Common, Green Dragon Bridge, opposite the P&E, the Chesterton towpath divide, the Railway Bridge, halfway down the Reach, and the Finish Line; on Friday also at Ditton Corner, opposite the Plough, Grassy Corner, the Gut, First Post Corner and the A14 Road Bridge. Three mobile marshals on bikes cover Jesus to Green Dragon Bridge, Chesterton to Ditton Corner, and Ditton Corner to the A14 Road Bridge. MARSHALLING AT THE FINISH All crews must wait for racing to finish before returning to their boathouse. Crews clear the finish line without stopping and proceed to the Baits Bite lock spin zone, keeping to the right-hand side of the river. After spinning at the sign, crews park on the towpath side, overlapping parked boats (doubling and tripling up expected). The last few crews in a division may have to wait for the division to finish before they can spin. Jesus crews pull in nearest the finish line so they can return first to marshal the next division. Competitors and bank parties should carry warm clothing (kept dry) or foil blankets. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY Qualified first aiders provide first response. If an incident occurs during racing, the crews behind the affected crew are stopped and no further crews are set off; past the finish line, first aiders attend and racing continues. For a major incident, ring 999 and provide the nearest access location (postcodes are listed in the plan, e.g. Green Dragon CB4 1NZ, The Plough CB5 8SX). Marshals should also use what3words for an accurate location. SAFETY EQUIPMENT Throw lines for marshals; safety blankets at the finish line; first aid kits at Start and Finish; radio communications for Marshals, Umpires, the Fairbairn Secretary and first aid. All coxes must have buoyancy aids/life jackets and all boats a bow ball, checked by Start Marshals; any crew without will not be permitted to race. Heel restraint checks may also be made. CANCELLATION OR SUSPENSION The organisers will cancel or suspend the event if it is deemed unsafe, taking into account severe or adverse weather (thunderstorms, high winds, heavy rain), a poor forecast, high water levels or stream, an immovable obstruction (e.g. fallen tree), or a significant failure of communications. The Fairbairn Secretary, with the Jesus College Boatman, JCBC President and Senior Umpires, will decide at their discretion, relayed by radio to the marshals and crews. Reviewed by Vova Chub, 28/10/2026.