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.

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.

Ollie Cook said: “We will need Abingdon out in full support.”

They are part of an Oxford crew, whose three-race winning streak was ended by Cambridge 12 months ago when they fell short by two-and-a-half lengths.

The Dark Blues crew also includes William Warr, who will become only the fourth man to row in the Boat Race for both universities.

And after months of hard work to make the crew, it is now down to a little under 20 minutes of racing.

Ragoussis said: “It’s been very tough, but the whole year since September has been the most enjoyable time of my life.

“When you have 20 or 25 guys who are willing to make themselves better, it makes it very easy to get up and do the training when you are tired.”

There is more local interest in the women’s race with former Cheney School pupil and City of Oxford member Alice Roberts seated at two.

BOAT RACE CREWS

Men: Warr (bow, 94.2kg), O’Leary (74.8), O Cook (91.7), Bugaski (99.2), Siegelaar (101.2), DiSanto (89.9), J Cook (84), Ragoussis (stroke, 86.6), Collier (cox, 57.8).

Women: Pickles (bow, 60), Roberts (67.5), Esselstein (70.8), Te Water Naude (67.2), Austin (76.5), Laverack (75.3), Cameron (76), Hebert (stroke, 67.1), Shearer (cox, 46.9).