Cambridge beat Oxford in the 165th Boat Race as James Cracknell’s return to the water ends in victory
Cambridge beat Oxford in the 165th Boat Race – as James Cracknell’s return to rowing ended in victory.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist broke the record as the oldest rower in the historic race at the age of 46, after 13 years away from elite-level sport.
But he proved age is just a number and used his experience to take Cambridge’s overall lead in the race to 84-80.
Cambridge took off as heavy, odds-on 2-9 favourites with Oxford 3-1 with some bookmakers.
And they proved the bookies right as they led from early on, getting their boat in front after some clashes of oars and then not letting Oxford back into the race.
The Cambridge boat crossed the line in 16min 57secs, two seconds clear of their rivals, to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in 20 years.
Dark Blue cox Toby de Mendonca’s appeal at the end was turned down – he felt the clash of oars impacted the result of the race but the umpire was unmoved.
Earlier, Cambridge took all three of the races preceding the men’s race.
Their Women’s team smashed their Oxford opponents in the first of the day’s four races.
The Light Blues were dominant from start to finish and were able to put themselves in control by the time the boats reached Hammersmith Bridge.
They threatened to break the women’s course record but with no pressure from their opposition, Cambridge could afford to step off the gas slightly, eventually crossing the line 17 seconds before Oxford.
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Cambridge took a 2-0 lead when their reserve team – called Blondie – beat Oxford’s Osiris by five lengths with another strong performance.
And Goldie, the men’s reserves, battled hard with Oxford’s Isis throughout.
The lead switched hands a number of times but it was eventually Cambridge that held on from Barnes Bridge to the end to win by a length in a time of 17min 17secs.