Oxford and Cambridge battle China’s elite in historic ice dragon boat race
The first-ever 'HIT-Cambridge-Oxford Cup' Ice Dragon Boat International Friendship Race took place in Harbin, China, on 10 January 2026. Fourteen university teams, including competitors from Oxford, Cambridge, and China’s elite C9 League, gathered for the unique winter event on ice.
Before the race, athletes from Oxford and Cambridge prepared on a frozen lake in Idre Fjäll, Sweden. The training helped them adapt to the unfamiliar conditions of ice dragon boating, which Daniel Foran from Oxford noted required greater core and upper body strength than traditional water rowing.
On race day, teams battled freezing temperatures as they navigated the icy course. Edward Townsend, a Cambridge student, called the experience exhilarating but challenging, emphasising the need for strong teamwork. Na Boshi, a student at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), praised the event for bringing together students from different cultures to share experiences and learn from one another. Beyond the competition, participants explored Harbin’s local culture through visits to landmarks and tastings of regional cuisine. Chen Jie, HIT’s Party Secretary, described the event as a cultural bridge, linking British rowing traditions with China’s dragon boat heritage.
The race marked a new chapter in student exchanges between Chinese and British universities. Teams from both nations gained firsthand experience of ice dragon boating while strengthening international ties. The event’s success suggests potential for future collaborations in sports and cultural activities.
