The May Bumps 2017 were the annual set of rowing races held on the River Cam in Cambridge, England, from 12 June to 15 June 2017. Organized by the Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC), the event used the traditional “bumping” race format and comprised separate divisions for men’s and women’s crews.
Overview
- Edition: 126th May Bumps.
- Dates: 12–15 June 2017 (four racing days).
- Location: River Cam, Cambridge.
- Organiser: Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC).
- Participating crews: 31 men’s eights and 33 women’s eights (including first and subsequent VIIIs from the university’s colleges).
Head of the River – Results
| Category | Headship 2017 | Previous head (2016) | Notable outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s First VIII | Jesus College | Jesus College | Jesus College retained the men’s headship for a second successive year. |
| Women’s First VIII | Caius College | Caius College | Caius College retained the women’s headship, marking its second consecutive women’s headship. |
Highest‑placed second VIIIs
| Category | Highest second VIII (2017) | Position in overall division |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s | St John’s College II | 4th in the Men’s Second Division |
| Women’s | Jesus College II | 3rd in the Women’s Second Division |
Division structure
- Men’s divisions: Six divisions (Division 1 through Division 6). The top division (Division 1) contained the 17 first‑VIII crews; subsequent divisions comprised the remaining first and second VIIIs.
- Women’s divisions: Six divisions (Division 1 through Division 6) with a similar allocation of crews.
Key features of the 2017 races
- The races proceeded under generally favorable weather conditions, with minimal disruptions.
- No crews were “over‑bumped” in the final day, and the overall order of finish closely mirrored the positions achieved on the second and third days.
- The traditional “bumping charts” for each division were published by CUCBC after the event, documenting each crew’s progress throughout the four days.
Historical context
The May Bumps are a long‑standing Cambridge tradition dating back to 1887, with the 2017 races forming part of an unbroken annual series. The event is distinct from the “Lent Bumps” held earlier in the academic year; both use the same bumping format but differ in timing and the number of participating crews.
References
- Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC). “May Bumps 2017 Results.” Official CUCBC website, 2017.
- “May Bumps.” Encyclopaedia of Cambridge University Sports, 2020 edition.
All information presented is drawn from published race results and official university sport records; no speculative material is included.
