Cambridge University Boat Club’s athletes have swapped the floods and the freezing weather in the United Kingdom for calmer and more favourable conditions overseas. Groups of rowers have headed out to the Italian coastal town of Sabaudia and Avis in Portugal as preparations for this year’s Boat Race ramp up. Both venues provide long stretches of water to help boost aerobic conditioning, while 2km courses allow the coaches to put the squad through their paces when it comes to seat racing. The men’s and women’s crews will row their first fixtures of the year on January 28. Meanwhile, the date fo…