The 27th March saw some very close racing, and an excellent standard of crews from both sides. Many thanks to all competitors and supporters.
Reports for the Women's Blue Boat and Lightweight Men still to come (apologies, the Committee is made up entirely of volunteers and have all had jobs to go back to - we are doing our best!)
Inter-collegiate women’s race Pembroke, Cambridge beat Magdalen, Oxford by one-third of a length; time 4.47.5The first race of the day saw a hard fought battle between the two best women’s College boats. The Cambridge crew crossed the line first, bringing the first light blue win of the weekend. The narrow winning margin set the mood for a day of close and at times combative racing.
Inter-collegiate men’s race Caius, Cambridge beat Christ Church, Oxford by 3 lengths; time 4.06
The second Inter-Collegiate race was won convincingly by a strong Caius, Cambridge crew. Cauis looked the superior crew from the first stroke, walking away from their Oxford counterparts, much the reverse of the previous day’s Boat Race. Caius won by the biggest margin of the day.
Newton Women’s Reserve Race - Blondie v. Osiris Blondie beat Osiris (Osiris disqualified)
Going into the race it was impossible to predict the victor, as the crews had dead heated in the Henley Head several weeks previously. However, neither crew would have expected this. Both crews started strongly with Blondie edging out in front. Even early on in the race both crews received warnings for steering, more for Blondie, so by 500m Osiris gained back the advantage, pressing out to half a length.
The Blondie crew seem unperturbed, pushing back through Osiris. Andy James, the dark blue cox, started to steer his boat into Cambridge water. Cambridge cox, Alice Brice, held her nerve as dark blue blades overlapped light blue blades. James ignored several warnings from Umpire, Mark Blandford-Baker, so the blades continued to clash.
Osiris came off better in the clash when the Blondie boat shipwrecked, rowing away in a strong rhythm set by their cool-headed stern pair. By the time Blondie had recovered, Osiris were three and a half lengths ahead. The light blues kept their heads up and rowed home strong, making up a length over the rest of the course.
As Blondie crossed the line, the Cambridge cox raised her hand in protest. Osiris was disqualified and Blondie was awarded the win.
Blandford-Baker said of his decision “It was a very tough call in the Osiris - Blondie race, but if you don’t respond to a warning and in this case go in the opposite direction to the one I’m asking for, and there is an incident like there was, I have no choice.”
Lightweight Women’s Race CUWBC lightweights beat OUWLRC by 1 ½ lengths; time 6.43 (Fawley 3.48)
Dubbed by Anna Watkins (World Champion 2010, women’s double scull) as the highest quality women’s lightweight event in a number of years, both crews raced exceptionally well. However it was Cambridge that delivered the “textbook” race, according to bow girl Georgina Plunkett.
The light blues flew off the start rating 48 and had gained half a length advantage within the first twenty strokes. Not content with this margin, Cambridge continued to push Oxford away with each stroke. Oxford did not falter in their efforts to close the gap, throwing in several hard pushes and maintaining clean bladework until the finish..
However Cambridge’s bladework was cleaner and sharper, their pushes more effective, which saw the light blue boat fly over the line with clear water between them and their rivals.
Newton Women’s Boat Race OUWBC beat CUWBC by 1 length; time 6.24 (Fawley 3.37)
This year’s race was highly anticipated not only due to the participation of a certain Natalie Redgrave, daughter of the illustrious Sir Steve, but also because Cambridge were starting as the favourites for the first time in several years. Wins at the Fuller’s Four’s Head, Henley Head and Women’s Eights Head suggested the light blues were on to win it, but last minute changes in the Oxford line up meant the dark blues had not given up on victory.
As fast start from both crews saw both bow balls nudged in front at times, though by 500m Oxford strode out to lead by a couple of seats. Oxford at 34 and Cambridge at 36, the dark blues were more effective through the water and continue to increase their lead.
Cambridge responded at halfway with a push and rate change and closed the gap to half a length, but still Oxford had the superior rhythm and speed. Cambridge continued to push hard but were unable to rattle their rivals who pushed home to win it with a margin of one length. Natalie Redgrave, Oxford four seat, said of their win “We didn’t know if we could do it. You prepare, you work hard, but you never know if it will be enough.”
With seven Blues in the boat, Oxford’s experience seems to have won the day. This was a good day for both clubs and the event, with the highest quality racing for many years. Particular congratulations go to Sonia Bracegirdle (Cambridge 07, Oxford 09, 10, 11), the first woman to win four Boat Races competing for both universities.
Lightweight Men's Race OULRC beat CULRC by Canvas; time 5.54 (Fawley 3.21)
The “other” men’s boat race saw the tightest winning margin of the day. Both crews flew off the start with little separating them, but Oxford soon got into a strong rhythm and moved away from Cambridge, and by 750m the Light Blues were only just in touch.
Umpire Blanford-Baker had to use his flags again to warn both crews, though as Oxford were ahead no blade clashes occurred. Oxford, like their openweight female counterparts, were underrating Cambridge but making it work more effectively, with cleaner, longer strokes.
It looked like Oxford would continue to walk away, a repeat of Saturday’s Men’s Boat Races where both Dark Blue crews’ speed saw them move consistently away from Cambridge throughout the race. This time, the Light Blues had an answer. Lead by stroke man Olli Lupton, Cambridge increased their rating to 39 at halfway and started to reel the Dark Blues in.
With 500m to go, Oxford responded, also increasing their rate. Into the last 250m, with half a length separating both crews, Cambridge increased their rate again to an eye-watering, leg-burning 42. The final charge closed the gap, but the Light Blues ran out of water and Oxford won by a canvas.
The winners of the Francombe Cup (Victor Ludorum) were Oxford University.
Videos coming soon.
Photo credit: Kylie Fisher Photography