HINKSEY Sculling School will have an even keener eye on Sunday’s university boat races than usual.

The community junior rowing club, from Oxford, have former members competing in both the lightweight men’s and women’s events at Henley.

Hinksey alumnus Alice Carrington-Windo will row in the No 2 seat for Oxford University’s women in their annual race against Cambridge, which starts at 3pm.

Half an hour later, the club’s ex-captain, Dan Bowen, will be in the bow seat for Oxford’s lightweight men.

Former Oxford High School pupil Carrington-Windo, 22, was in the winning Dark Blue boat last year, while her sister Aggie is part of Hinksey’s WJ16 squad.

Alice said: “I am incredibly grateful to Hinksey for introducing me to the sport, and also for continuing to provide support and encouragement after having left the club.

“I hope to be involved in the club’s future; Hinksey is central to bringing rowing to the Oxford community.”

Bowen, 20, who went to Oxford’s Cherwell School, is making his boat race debut.

He said: “It’s been a pretty tough year with lots of sacrifices, but I am happy to get to race at the end of it.

“My time at Hinksey prepared me well for the year, giving me the confidence, ambition and grit that characterise the club”.

OXFORD’S men saw off Leander by three lengths in their final race before the 160th University Boat Race in London on Sunday, April 6.

Leander were expected to be a stern test for the Dark Blues, but the students ruled the Putney to Chiswick Steps race from the first stroke.

The private race was Oxford’s first since replacing Chris Fairweather with Canadian Tom Watson in their No 2 seat.