New coach for Cambridge

As the build-up to Great Britain's 151st Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities gathers momentum, Cambridge University again made headlines with the announcement of the appointment of a new coach.

New Zealand's Duncan Holland will take over from Robin Williams who moves on to join the British national coaching staff. But first Williams will see his team through this year's Boat Race scheduled for 27 March 2005.

This is Williams eleventh year with Cambridge and in that time he has chalked up an impressive seven wins and going into this year's race, Williams hopes to leave with an eighth win to his credit.

According to a Cambridge University Boat Club press release, Holland has been closely involved with the Dutch, Swiss and New Zealand National Teams and has most recently been working with the Dutch Women's group, including the eight that won a medal in Athens: ?I am greatly looking forward to working with the CUBC. The combination of a group of excellent athletes, an extremely tough race, and a club that puts a premium on boat moving skills presents a unique and exciting challenge,? he says.

Holland will formally take up his appointment in April. The Cambridge crew boasts a strong contingent of Olympians including Great Britain's Tom James, Luke Walton from the United States and Germany's Sebastian Schulte and Bernd Heidicker. They will race the German men's eight this weekend in a buildup to the Boat Race that includes a month of racing and trials.

For more information go to www.theboatrace.org

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