From PDN to the Thames

Photo of Jenna Armstrong standing alongside the River Cam with Jesus College in the background. The sun is shining, her arms are folded and she is smiling at the camera. She is wearing her Cambridge University Boat Club unitard, which is Cambridge blue on top, and black on the bottom.

Jenna Armstrong. Photo Credit: Nordin Catic

A photo of the Cambridge University Boat Club team sitting in their yellow boat on the River Thames. The sky is grey and there are tower blocks in the background.The team are wearing their racing colours, Cambridge blue, and are laughing and smiling. Jenna is seated in the boat with the team and is holding both arms above her head in celebration, and is smiling at the camera

Jenna celebrating with the Cambridge team

A photo taken from above, of the Cambridge Women's Rowing Team. They are all seated in their yellow boat and are rowing along the grey river waters. The Cox is seated with their back to the camera.

The Cambridge team in action

For many of us, lockdown in 2020 was a time for bingeing Netflix and baking banana bread. But for Physiology PhD, Jenna Armstrong, it was the perfect opportunity to restart her rowing journey after a 5 year hiatus.

Starting out as a competitive ski racer at age 8, Jenna suffered a knee injury when she was 18 which forced her to retire from competition. The draw of competitive sport would prove to be too strong, and it was then in 2011 that she discovered rowing, and while studying in Cambridge, was approached to row for the University.

This opportunity came at the perfect time as Jenna was looking to start her Physiology PhD. Now in her 3rd year, Jenna's research looks at the impact of altitude on placental metabolism, with cohorts in areas of high altitude such as Bolivia and Colorado.

It can be difficult to find a balance as a scholar athlete at Cambridge, with long days combining training and research. One of the most difficult things to manage, is the 5am starts on cold, rainy and snowy days, "The hardest bit is getting out of a nice warm bed!" Jenna says.

So what keeps her motivated? "Supportive supervisors!" Jenna smiles, "When things all come together. Going on this journey with 9 other people, and getting to create bonds with my teammates"

Jenna sees her biggest rowing achievement so far as winning the Division III National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 2015. She previously raced in the Cambridge women's reserve boat (Blondie) in the Gemini Boat Race 2022, and is looking forward to the "wild" atmosphere from supporters on the day itself "there's a real buzz building already!" she says.

"I'm most looking forward to laying down the best possible performance I can on the day, and crossing the finish line with an amazing team of women"
Jenna Armstrong

So who will be cheering Jenna on on the day? "My parents and a couple of childhood friends are flying over to London, and there will be family watching at home. My undergrad team are also planning a watch party" Jenna says. She can most definitely add members of the PDN community to that tally too!

Watch the 2023 Gemini Boat Race live on BBC One.
4pm - 77th Women's Boat Race
5pm - 168th Men's Boat Race