Christie Duff, Iona Riley and Lewis McCue aim for Aberdeen glory A trio of students at Robert Gordon University are hoping to make the cut and compete in Scotland's equivalent of the Oxford v Cambridge boat race. Christie Duff, 19, Iona Riley, 21, and Lewis McCue, 18, are all eager to participate in the 19th Aberdeen Asset Management Universities" event, which will see the University of Aberdeen go head to head with Robert Gordon University on Saturday, March 1 in the city. Despite all having ambitions outwith sport, the three hopefuls are committed to steering their rowing careers to the next level. In 2013, they attended the World Championships and even trialled for the Great British rowing team. Christie, who studies Architecture, says: "2013 was fantastic for me. Being able to witness such significant UK rowing events will stay with me for years to come. My proudest achievement in rowing so far is winning at the Henley Royal Regatta, and I would love to be selected to compete in the 2014 Boat Race team. Iona, a student in Applied Sport & Exercise Science student, also began with another sport, netball, before turning her hand to rowing. A silver medalist at the World Under-23 Rowing Championships, she says: "When I was in Primary 7, my teacher took the class down to the river to try rowing. I was hooked from there and have been on the water ever since. To encourage other young enthusiasts, I coach at every available opportunity. It can be difficult to balance studying with coaching but it's so rewarding that I can't give it up. There is certainly no shortage of rowing pedigree in Lewis McCue's family. The Sports Science student explains: "My grandfather rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race, so it would be fantastic to carry on the family tradition and represent Robert Gordon University in the Aberdeen Boat Race. Sometimes, it is difficult to keep university work and rowing both up to scratch, but it's all about learning that balancing act. The final crews will be selected in early 2014 by the respective team presidents - Robert Gordon University Boat Club's Gillian Paterson and her Aberdeen University counterpart, Lauren Cammaert. They will look at performance, ability and determination while making their decisions, as they nurture the next generation of potential Katherine Graingers. Every one of the 16 rowers will take just under 300 strokes in the course of the 3.5km race and, along with the crew coxes, will push their physical and mental endurance to the limit. The race stretches along the River Dee in Aberdeen, from the Bridge of Dee to the Aberdeen Boat Club. In 2013, RGU won the race by two and a half lengths in a very creditable time of eight minutes and 18 seconds. To prepare for the March race, both clubs have already undergone months of gruelling training, including 6am starts on the river. There are strokes involves in rowing, of course. But they aren't ones of fortune. Christie, Iona and lewis have already recognised that in their short careers. Follow the build-up to the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Universities" Boat Race here