Boat Race Sporting History Draws Crowds

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Women's team made history on river route

Enthusiastic crowds thronged the river bank along the Thames to watch yesterday's (April 11th) Oxford v Cambridge boat races, although temperatures were somewhat cooler than of late. Oxford went into the race as favourites and the embankment was buzzing from Putney to Chiswick with television crews, supporters and friends from both universities in the final countdown to the big race. It was a great day for the Oxford team winning both the women's and men's races.

Crowds gathered at Chiswick Bridge in bright sunshine to watch the exhausted crews finish and cheer the victorious team.

Sporting history was made with the women’s boat race - the Oxford v Cambridge Newton Women’s Boat Race to give it its full title - joining the men's Oxford v Cambridge BNY Mellon Boat Race for the first time. The women’s race started at 4.50pm and the men’s race at 5.50pm.

Oxford women's coach Christine Wilson spoke of her pride at the achievement of the women in tackling the Thames course. Bringing the women's race from its traditional location at Henley up to the tidal Thames was largely due to the sponsorship initiated by Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Asset Management, who believed it was time women's rowing had equality with men.

The scene at Putney Embankment

First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, the boat races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world.

On Friday, the Oxford 2nd Womens team, Osiris beat Blondie in the race. Blondie led from the start but the Oxford squad pulled ahead and won for the fourth year in a row.

Riverside bars and rowing clubs were busy all day Saturday with big screens and refreshments on hand.

The first Boat Race took place in 1829 after Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race on the Thames. The modern race still runs along the same lines and has now become a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world.

On race day up to 250,000 spectators crowded the banks of the Thames to witness the action. Oxford won last year’s race by just over a length in a time of 17 minutes 28 seconds. However, Cambridge lead the overall series by 81 wins to 77, with the sides drawing in a dead heat once in the 1800s.

On the Women’s side Oxford were also victorious last year, but still trail Cambridge who lead the overall contest 40 to 29.

For more details about The Boat Races, visit the website.

Crews for the 2015 Oxford v Cambridge Boat Races

April 12, 2015