Rower Sam O'Connor hopes his record-breaking run in the university boat race will inspire more New Zealanders to take part in the prestigious event.
The 27-year-old from Christchurch is aiming for a third successive victory when he lines up for Oxford in the annual battle against Cambridge on the River Thames on Saturday (Sunday NZST).
O'Connor is the first New Zealander to contest the race multiple times but doesn't want to be the last.
"It's something I'm pretty proud of but hopefully that's not a record that lasts very long," the engineering student told NZN.
"Hopefully more New Zealanders can come over and do the race."
O'Connor's third and final boat race takes on special significance with his younger brother James, a 24-year-old education student, also selected in Oxford's crew.
"The opportunity to try and do it with my brother was definitely what motivated me to trial for the team again," Sam O'Connor said.
"It would be quite cool to come back and win it again, especially with my brother but right now I'm not thinking about all that and just thinking about the race and focusing on what I've got to do."
Oxford are again favourites after powering to victory last year by the biggest winning margin since 1973 after an early clash between the crews.
"We've got a really strong boat but we know we're up against a very strong opposition," O'Connor said.
Thousands of spectators will line the banks of the Thames for the 161st running of the iconic race.
Cambridge leads the series since 1829 by 81-78.
Share
