VASSILIS Ragoussis has been dreaming of pulling on a Dark Blue vest in the Boat Race since he was a teenager and nine years later it is about to come true, writes Jack Johnson.

When Oxford and Cambridge universities line up on the River Thames on Sunday, the former Abingdon School pupil will take his seat at stroke.

It will complete a journey which started in 2008 when a wide-eyed 14-year-old Ragoussis first watched the Boat Race on television.

“I remember it being this huge prestigious race between two incredible rivals and I was just fascinated by it,” said the 23-year-old, who moved to Oxford from London when he was ten.

“I had just picked up rowing then and I didn’t know about all the training and preparation that went into it.

“Ever since I saw it I thought it was pretty cool to do. I didn’t expect my dream to come true, but that’s how life is.”

Ragoussis, who is studying a master of research degree in clinical medicine at Linacre College, is one of three former Abingdon pupils in the Oxford crew, with brothers Ollie and Jamie Cook seated at two and seven.

The trio rowed for the Park Road school between 2008-2011 and Ollie says he will always have fond memories of competing in the cerise of Abingdon.

He said: “It’s a huge honour to be representing Abingdon.

“The three of us will need Abingdon out in full support, on the bank or shouting at the TV.”