13 March 2006: Oxford Women's Blue Boat, racing as Osiris A, beat their Cambridge counterparts by a clear 25 seconds in the Women's Head last Saturday, and finished a creditable fourth place overall, being beaten only by the GB composite, Thames and Leander.

The Head often provides a form guide to the Women's Boat Race itself. Cambridge beat Oxford's time in last year's Head by more than 27 seconds and then went on to win the Boat Race, beating Oxford by 2 1/3 lengths - their first win since 2001.

Osiris won the University pennant in Saturday's race, while the Cambridge Women's Blue Boat won the Senior 3 pennant.

In the lightweights event (for which there is no special pennant in the Women's Head) the Cambridge crew came out on top, recording a time 15 seconds faster than Oxford. If the Light Blues can repeat that performance in three weeks time it will mark their first win in the Lightweight Women's Boat Race for five years.

At the head of the field of 274 crews Leander and Thames battled it out for top honours, with Thames reversing last year's result with the faster time by eight seconds. But it was the GB composite crew , boating six internationals including Katherine Grainger, which carved through the field from their starting position of 169 and secured the Head pennant ten seconds clear of Thames

OUWBC President Alex Cairns was well pleased after the results were announced.

"It reflects all the hard work that has gone into training - but that's all history now and we have to look ahead to 1 April. Both Blue Boats finished in the Top Ten which I think reflects the increased standard of women's racing" she said.

The Women's Blue Boats were just two of those helping to raise awareness of breast cancer in Saturday's race. The athletes in each crew wore pink to reflect their support for the Breast Cancer Haven, which exists to help meet the physical and emotional needs of anyone affected by breast cancer.  Every crew that raised over £30 towards the charity was being entered into a draw to win a brand new Concept ll Ergo for their club. 

 

SELECTED RESULTS

Finish
Start
Club
Time
  
1
169
 Birmhm U/Mlw/Read U/Rebc/Thames/TSS 19:13.61
2
2
 Thames RC A 19:23.79
3
1
 Leander Club 19:31.16
4
10
 Osiris BC A 19:38.10 Oxford Blue Boat
5
3
 Nereus ASR 19:41.33  
6
6
 University of London WBC A 19:52.79
7
16
 Imperial College BC A 20:01.93
8
4
 Cambridge University WBC A 20:05.13 Cambridge Blue Boat
17
15
 Osiris BC B 20:28.23 Osiris
20
24
 Cambridge University WBC B 20:31.35 Cambridge Lightweights
27
47
 Cambridge University WBC C 20:40.74 Blondie
31
27
 Oxford University LWRC 20:46.66 Oxford Lightweights

Full details from the event website at www.wehorr.org

ENDS