Oxford University will be facing a new Cambridge chief coach i4n the 2009 Boat Race, writes Mike Rosewell.

Duncan Holland, the Light Blues' chief coach for the past three years, did not have his contract renewed last May and, after a long lull, Cambridge have announced that another New Zealander, Chris Nilsson, will be the new man in charge.

Nilsson, who rowed in the 1972 Oympics, is no newcomer to the Boat Race scene, having been assistant coach at Oxford from 1997 to 1999 when he had one winning and one losing Isis crew.

Since then he was assistant coach to the USA national team up to the Athens Olympics and national Coach with Rowing New Zealand from 2004 until Beijing.

In contrast, Oxford’s coaching set up remains unchanged, although new president, Olympic silver medallist Colin Smith, does not want the system to stand still.

“After achieving great success over the last nine years, it is tempting not to change too much of what the club does," he said.

"But OUBC has a formidable opponent in Cambridge, and this will be particularly true in 2009.

"Consequently, we will be looking to make some significant changes in the way we approach training and racing.”

 There was plenty of local success at a damp Reading Small Boats Head on Sunday.

Headington excelled at the younger age group competitions, while Wallingford ruled the veteran classes.