Honours technically even, but given Cambridge’s Boat Race dominance over the past decade, this somehow still felt like a tide-turning day on the River Thames.
Oxford, so comprehensively beaten last year, returned tangibly stronger in some of the most difficult conditions in the event’s near 200-year history, first winning the women’s race by an emphatic five-length margin before producing an unexpectedly competitive display in the men’s event.
Yes, the Cambridge eight, who may very well be the best in the world just now, were ultimately too strong but, after suffering double defeat in six of the seven previous editions, the scales have at least nudged back in the direction of Oxford.
That competitiveness matters, particularly with the Boat Race itself heading into somewhat uncharted waters following the loss of blanket BBC coverage and the corporation’s apparent disinterest in an event it has prized for much of the past century. There was certainly no sense in west London on Saturday of any diminished enthusiasm. “This is the greatest, the oldest, the strongest tradition event – you’ve got people around the world that are all celebrating this one occasion – it’s an incredible feature of our sport,” said Simon Hatcher, an American PhD engineering student who was taking part in his second Boat Race.
With gusts of wind in excess of 30mph, the carbon-fibre boats were all kitted out with special electric water pumps that the cox can turn on to remove incoming water. Rowers on both sides of the divide described it as akin to rowing in a sea and there was a very real sense that we would have seen a repeat of famous past “sinking” incidents were it not for the technology.
First up was the women’s race, with Cambridge winning the toss to start on the favoured Surrey station and going for the ninth straight win. With the Covid pandemic causing the race to be cancelled in 2020, that had left Oxford’s women waiting for more than a decade to prevail, but they seemed inspired from the first stroke. Cambridge tried to rally but, as the crews made the first turn just after Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford had already established clear water. This hugely mitigated Cambridge’s initial positional advantage and put Oxford in full command as the race then entered choppy waters at Chiswick Pier. Cambridge took the calculated gamble of taking a very different racing line through this section, moving closer to the edge of the Thames where the waters were calmer. Oxford, who initially stayed on the usual race line, then moved across to counter any possible Cambridge advantage.
It was a smart switch which ultimately negated any tactical disadvantage before coasting to the sort of emphatic victory that had been the preserve in recent years of Cambridge.
In front of their proud parents, German sisters Lilli and Mia Freischem became the first siblings to compete against one another in the Boat Race for more than 20 years. Oxford’s Lilli admitted that there was only partial satisfaction at securing family bragging rights. “It breaks my heart a little – I’m so proud of her,” she said of beating her sister. There was also shock that their story had commanded so much interest, with German television crews among those present at the finish on the beach just past Chiswick Bridge. “I never expected people to be so interested in the story – to get to do this with my sister has just been incredible,” Lilli said.
There were also tears at the finish for 29-year-old Oxford president Heidi Long, an Olympic medallist whose rowing career was so inspired by her late father Keith.
“It’s not just us in this boat, it’s all of the Oxford women that came before,” Long said. “I was very overwhelmed. That race is like nothing else, the conditions, the gladiatorial one-on-one, and just the people.
“When I got on to land, and I saw my mum, my brothers and my partner, I really missed my dad. I also lost my gran two months ago and one of the last things she said was, ‘Go win that race’. I know that they were with us today.” The chances of an Oxford double were always minimal but, buoyed by the women’s success, the men did at least make a fight of their race.
With a crew packed with internationals and Olympians who have swept all before them this year, Cambridge were clear favourites for another win after only losing once in the past decade. They began strongly despite the disadvantage of starting from the Middlesex station before Oxford rallied gamely during a messy middle section of the race.
Both teams were warned by the race umpire and there were a series of close calls between their oars. With water frequently lapping up into the boat in the waves, there were briefly fears that the on-board pumps would not work quickly enough. Oxford’s unexpected resistance was brave, but there was ultimately no bluffing over the 4.3-mile championship course and Cambridge gradually eased to a comfortable four-length victory by the finish.
“I would say the conditions tend to make equals of us all – you’re blown to a halt essentially by the wind,” said Hatcher, following a race that extends Cambridge men’s overall lead since 1829 to 89-81.
‘We didn’t see the best of Cambridge’
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Martin Cross, Olympic rowing champion, says on Channel 4 says...
“I don’t think we saw the best of Cambridge – the rough water was a great leveller. The way the Dark Blues held on to Cambridge at the start, that was sensational.”
Cambridge led from start to finish
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Cambridge were strong favourites (as much as 8/1 on with some bookies), but Oxford held on well in the early stsages of the race.
But, having led from the start, the Light Blues got clear water and stretched well ahead.
Ultimately, winning by 11 seconds in a time of 17mins 56.84secs.
Winning cox Sammy Houdagui speaks to Channel 4
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“That was a fantastic race, all credit to Oxford and all credit to the eight guys.”
Dominant victory
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The tough conditions made it look, at times, like sea-rowing.
Cambridge win for fourth time in a row
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They were expected to win and the Light Blues led from the start. Oxford battled well against possibly the best eight in the world but it’s defeat once again for the Dark Blues.
Cambridge moving clear
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The lead looks to be over three lengths now, and after their impressive battling in the first half of the race Oxford must now know they’re going to lose for the fourth successive time.
The conditions are a leveller
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Cambridge are fighting the choppy waters, and they’re doing it well. The lead is roughly two and a half lengths. They’re under Barnes Bridge and making the turn for home.
Oxford did well...
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...in the early part of the race but Cambridge are still over two lengths ahead. Last year the Light Blues won by over five lengths, can they win by more this year?
Horrendous conditions
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And both crews are fighting the white water. Cambridge are coming into their own and stretching their lead.
At halfway
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The Light Blues lead by over a length. The river is choppy and the rough stuff has arrived. Cambridge making the conditions for Oxford even tougher.
Oxford have to try and stay with Cambridge
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The conditions are now getting choppy and anything could happen.
At Hammersmith Bridge
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Cambridge lead by over a length.
Time for a stat: 80 per cent of the leaders at Hammersmith Bridge go on to win.
Cambridge were expected to be well ahead by now
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And they’re not. Oxford are hanging in there, they’re down but still in with a chance.
Really close to a clash
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Oxford are being really aggressive, they’re less than a length down and trying to find the fast part of the water before they get the advantage of the Surrey bend.
Conditions are calm
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The choppy conditions come later, so important for both to try and eke out a lead early on. Oxford are still down and still being warned to move, there is more than a hint of clashing oars.
Oxford warned
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The Dark Blues are being told to move back to their side of the water. Cambridge are favourites and it’s not hard to see why, they’re one of the best eights in rowing and they currently have a lead of half a boat length.
They’re off!
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And Cambridge power out to an early lead, but it’s a tiny lead, the Light Blues were expected to lead by now so decent start from Oxford.
The crews are in the water
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And we’re moments away from the start of the men’s race.
Can Oxford do the double?
Cambridge dominant
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The Light Blues have won the past three races and seven of the past 10 races.
They lost the toss, however, and Oxford will have the Surrey station.
The two line-ups
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Cox- Tobias Bernard (President)
Stroke - Harry Geffen
7 - Alex Sullivan
6 - Jamie Arnold
5 - Alex Underwood
4 - Fergus Pim
3 - James Fetter
2 - Julian Schöberl
Bow - Felix Crabtree
Cambridge Men
Cox - Sammy Houdagui
Stroke - Freddy Breuer
7 - Will Klipstine
6 - Lexi Maclean
5 - Gabriel Obholzer
4 - Patrick Wild
3 - Kyle Fram
2 - Noam Mouelle (President)
Bow - Simon Hatcher
Bernard (Oxford) and Hatcher (Cambridge) are the only returning participants from last year’s showdown. Both teams boast international prestige with World Championship and Olympic success amongst their ranks. Both teams are dominated by postgraduate students with Underwood (Oxford), Bernard (Oxford) and Wild (Cambridge) the only undergraduate representatives.
Oxford end Cambridge women’s decade of dominance
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Oxford have ended a 10-year wait since their last victory in the women’s Boat Race.
After starting from the supposedly slower Middlesex station, Oxford led from literally the first stroke to the last, prevailing over Cambridge for the first time since 2016.
Since then, the Light Blues had won eight times in a row, with the 2020 edition cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. In front of their proud parents, sisters Lilli and Mia Freischem became the first siblings to compete against one another in the Boat Race, with Oxford’s Lilli securing family bragging rights.
The Dark Blues powered off, taking a lead of half-a-length within the first minute. Cambridge rallied but, as the crews then settled going into the first turn just after Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford had already established clear water. This was vital given that Cambridge had won the toss, and choosing the Surrey station would have given them an advantage on that bend. The Oxford lead mitigated that advantage hugely, however, as they could then move across into the water in front.
The hugely choppy conditions then became significant as they approached Chiswick Pier. Cambridge took the gamble of taking a very different racing line through this section, moving closer to the edge of the Thames and the calmer waters. Oxford, who initially stayed in the traditional race line in the middle, then themselves moved across to counter any possible Cambridge advantage.
It was a smart move, which ultimately negated any possible tactical advantage, before coasting to the sort of emphatic victory that had been the preserve in recent years of Cambridge.
Cambridge bow Gemma King speaks
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“Not the outcome we wanted, but am proud of the crew. There were crazy conditions out there. We’ll be back.”
‘Relieved and overjoyed’
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So happy for the Oxford women. I’m crying sitting here on my sofa. They’ve done it. They have finally broken Cambridge. Heidi Long was magnificent in brutal conditions. The mood on the Oxford women’s alumnae WhatsApp group is jubilant. We are relieved and overjoyed. Their coach Allan French has been so supportive of the veterans – I am so happy for him. He deserves this victory.
Pete Reed on the Oxford win
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“That was so incredible. They’re making the memories of a lifetime. I am so proud of them and hopefully that’s a change of momentum for the Dark Blues.”
Oxford win
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The Dark Blues end the losing streak in the most dominant way possible. They led from the start and won by over two lengths.
Oxford lead by over two lengths
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It’s been a dominant performance and they’ll win for the first time since 2016.
Cambridge still in Oxford’s wake
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Oxford battling through the conditions
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They were at 36 strokes a minutes and are now down to 32. The lead remains two lengths.
Two kilometres to go
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And the Light Blues need a miracle...both crews are in the pain zone...feel the burn!
Oxford respond to the Cambridge gamble
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They, too, go to the south bank of the Thames and the gap remains sizeable, roughly two lengths now.
Gamble from Cambridge
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They’re not fighting for what is assumed to the be the fast water and looking for a calmer part of the river.
Pain on the faces of the Oxford crew
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But I cannot see them blowing up from here, the lead is over a length and a half.
There is white water on the famous river - the conditions are bad.
Surrey bend is worth 3/4s of a length
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But Cambridge won’t get that advantage as they are now two lengths down, with Oxford rowing in the part of the water they want thanks to their lead.
Cambridge struggling
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The conditions are choppy and even more so for the Light Blues who have to deal with the extra ‘waves’ created by the Oxford boat which is stretching it’s lead as they approach the Hammersmith Bridge. The gap is up to about a boat and a half...
Oxford’s race to lose
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There’s clear water now and they can now move into the other boat’s water. The Light Blues are five seconds down.
Past Craven Cottage they go
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And Oxford still hold the advantage, Cambridge are still in it and trying to hold on for the Surrey bend when they will hopefully, for them, eat into the Dark Blues’ lead, which is about a boat length.
Cambridge had to respond
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And they’ve done just that. Meanwhile, Oxford are being warned and told to move from the Light Blues’ boat.
They’re off!
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Both crew fire out of the blocks and it’s a great start from Oxford, just what they needed, looking to end the eight-race losing streak. A minute in and the Dark Blues have a lead of about five metres.
Crews are at the start
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And we’re moments away from the women’s Boat Race.
The start is key, you have to go out as hard and fast as you can. Feel those legs and lungs burn...
How do Oxford women break the eight-race losing streak?
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According to Pete Reed, three-time Olympic champion and former Oxford rower...
“The hard work is done, now down to belief. They just need to execute their plan on the water.”
Surrey station is likely to be more sheltered
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The conditions are challenging and it’s no shock to find that the winners of the coin toss (Cambridge women and Oxford men) have both opted for the southern bank of the famous river.
Blustery out on the Thames
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I’m in place on the beach at Quintin Boat Club, which is just after the finish line at Chiswick Bridge. Certainly rather more blustery and wintery than last year, with the elements expected to become particularly significant around Chiswick Pier. Both crews will hope to have established clear water by then so that they can choose their line into the final bend.
The women’s race is 30 minutes away
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So, who are the favourites? Well, it’s Oxford and the Dark Blues are desperate for a win because they haven’t tasted victory since 2016. Overall, Cambridge hold the advantage, 49-30.
Weather report
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It’s dry BUT the water is expected to be choppy, not ideal...
Channel 4 coverage...
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...is under way and it’s no shock at all to see it helmed by Clare Balding, is there anything she doesn’t present? Perhaps, more surprisingly, Jamie Laing of Made in Chelsea fame is her co-presenter...
The coin toss
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The first significant action of the day: The coin toss. Highly significant in the Boat Race, with the Surrey station providing a definite but still very surmountable advantage at Hammersmith Bridge.
Cambridge women and Oxford men won their respective tosses, and both predictably opting for the Surrey station.
The wider context suggests Cambridge may be rather happier with that outcome than Oxford. Word from inside the Cambridge camp is that the men’s team should still have too much for Oxford but the women, after seven straight wins, are in for a huge test if they want to extend that winning streak and so will want every possible edge.
Early starts and blistered hands
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Another reason why I couldn’t row (bar the early starts...) is the damage it does to your hands.
“When you first start rowing, and even when you’ve been off for the summer and you come back for the start of the season, you get so many blisters. And it’s all tearing apart, and your hands are bleeding, and it’s all rough. And especially when you’re rowing with the oar, the handle gets a lot of friction on your hands, and that’s what caused the blisters, and then the blisters pop, and then they really hurt.”
READ: Picture special: Every Boat Race rower’s hands tell a story
Cambridge dominate (again...)
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Sigh. Another Boat Race day, and another Cambridge clean sweep. On Friday, it was the turn of the Lightweights and the Veterans, a warm up before the big day today. I sincerely hope it’s not a precedent for today’s results.
I rowed in the Oxford Women’s Veteran Boat. Last year, we were the only Oxford crew to win, and we were sure the Cambridge veterans wouldn’t have enjoyed that pasting. Indeed, out came their Rolodex of Olympians who’ve rowed for the Light Blues. Three time world champion Olivia Coffey and Olympic gold medallist and rowing legend Grace Prendergast were at 6 and 7 respectively, with silver medallist Cath Bishop my opposite number at four (“We had to up our game,” she told me). MI6 Chief Blaise Metreweli was a no-show for our opponents, presumably so we didn’t have to have a police escort.
We made three changes, with our powerful number 5, Emily Reynolds, from our 2025 crew now six months’ pregnant. Perhaps crucially, our age average was 50 to Cambridge’s 46 (Blues Veterans crews have to be 42 average or above).
There’s no stake boat and the river is open for the Lightweights and Veterans, so once the Uber boat was out the way, we set off, having won the toss and elected for Surrey.
Our Dark Blue boat got off to a strong start, edging out to a 2ft lead past the boat houses. But the Light Blues took full advantage of their early bend, and between the Black Buoy and Craven Cottage, got almost a length of clear water in blustery conditions. At the milepost, they were 6.3 seconds ahead.
In contrast to most Boat Races, and perhaps a hint for today, our coxes had different interpretations of where the stream is on the stretch to Hammersmith. We were wide apart, and there was none of the gladiatorial frenzy of our dead heat two years ago. (The men’s veterans still managed to engineer a clash, however, in a dramatic race which saw the lead change twice).
With cox Joe Gellett from the 2024 Blue Boat urging us on, we did not lose our self-belief. “They’re not moving away!” he cried, and we believed him, finally settling into a long and powerful rhythm in flatter water.
From Harrods Furniture Depository onwards, with the bend now in our favour, we started to reel them in. I could suddenly hear their cox again, and knew we were agonisingly close. Our late surge through the bridge brought the boats into contact again, but it was Cambridge for the win at Furnivall steps, 3.58 seconds ahead in a time of 8 mins 38 seconds. The verdict from my son, the harshest critic of my rowing? “Close, against a stacked crew.” I’ll take that, but I wish we could have provided a glimmer of hope.
My predictions for today? It’s going to be windy so weather will play a part – the Lightweights yesterday, rowing the full course, had white horses to deal with at Chiswick Eyot. Whoever wins the toss, I’d remind Oxford you can win from both stations, as Cambridge demonstrated yesterday. The Oxford women are the favourites: I’m just praying to the gods for a Dark Blue win.
Sibling rivalry
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For the first time in the history of the Boat Race, two sisters will compete against one another. The Freischem sisters, Lilli and Mia, will represent Oxford and Cambridge respectively. The pair do not come from a traditional rowing background. It was only by virtue of “Covid boredom” during their time at the University of Edinburgh that they began rowing. Nor did it influence elder sister Lilli’s choice to study her PhD at Oxford . She said: “it was a completely academic choice [to study at] a high-quality institution.” They will put rivalry aside shortly after as they will compete together in the German National Championships two weeks after this clash.
Who has sacrificed a load of lie-ins?
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The thing that always prevented me from be a world-class rower (that and about a billion other reasons...) is the the fact that rowers get up at stupid-o-clock, when most sane people are still asleep. Isn’t one of the great things about being a student the fact that you can sleep in of a morning? Anyway, more fool them – here are the four crews for today’s races.
Cambridge Women
Cox - Matt Moran
Stroke - Aidan Wrenn-Walz
7 - Mia Freischem
6 - Camille Vandermeer
5 - Antonia Galland
4 - Carys Earl
3 - Charlotte Ebel
2 - Isobel Campbell
Bow - Gemma King (President)
Oxford Women
Cox - Louis Corrigan
Stroke - Heidi Long (President)
7 - Sarah Marshall
6 - Esther Briz Zamorano
5 - Kyra Delray
4 - Julietta Camahort
3 - Lilli Freischem
2 - Emily Molins
Bow - Annie Anezakis
Spearheaded by Olympic bronze-medallist Heidi Long, Oxford also boasts Spanish Olympian Esther Briz Zamorano. Domestically, Kyla Delray has represented Great Britain at Junior, Under 23 and Senior level at World Rowing Championships. Meanwhile for Cambridge, their stroke Aidan Wrenn-Walz, has represented the USA at junior level. Camille VanderMeer, compatriot of Wrenn-Walz, was part of the USA’s World Rowing Championships’ outfit last year. Gemma King, President and Bow, is taking part in her seventh Boat Race Weekend and her third in the Blue Boat.
Oxford Men
Cox- Tobias Bernard (President)
Stroke - Harry Geffen
7 - Alex Sullivan
6 - Jamie Arnold
5 - Alex Underwood
4 - Fergus Pim
3 - James Fetter
2 - Julian Schöberl
Bow - Felix Crabtree
Cambridge Men
Cox - Sammy Houdagui
Stroke - Freddy Breuer
7 - Will Klipstine
6 - Lexi Maclean
5 - Gabriel Obholzer
4 - Patrick Wild
3 - Kyle Fram
2 - Noam Mouelle (President)
Bow - Simon Hatcher
Bernard (Oxford) and Hatcher (Cambridge) are the only returning participants from last year’s showdown. Both teams boast international prestige with World Championship and Olympic success amongst their ranks. Both teams are dominated by postgraduate students with Underwood (Oxford), Bernard (Oxford) and Wild (Cambridge) the only undergraduate representatives.
New era for historic race
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The Boat Race: elitist bit of exercise on the Thames or top-class sporting event that demands attention?
As with most debates, the answer doubtless lies in between these two extreme viewpoints. What is not in doubt, however, is that this event is staple part of the British sporting schedule, a sign that spring has sprung and something that millions of us watch every year. It occupies a somewhat quaint and historic space in British sport and, since 1927, was synonymous with the BBC.
That is, until now.
To watch the race today, you will need to turn on Channel 4 and if you want to listen then you’ll have to tune into Times Radio. The Boat Race had signed with commercial broadcasters for TV and radio just once before. ITV had the TV contract from 2005-09, while LBC had radio rights from 2005-10.
Channel 4 has a five-year deal for event which was first shown on the BBC in 1938.
The radio deal comes after sources close to talks told Telegraph Sport last October that the BBC’s director of sport appeared to show “very little enthusiasm” during negotiations.
BBC sources previously countered claims that Alex Kay-Jelski, who arrived as director of sport in 2024, viewed the event as “elitist”.
Insiders at the BBC told Telegraph Sport that a failure to renew rights was based purely on concerns around return on investment.
So a new era for the Dark Blue and Light Blue race in London, but one cannot help but think the BBC has dropped the ball (or oar?) here, at a time when it has ever fewer sporting events – that either demand attention or attract attention – to cover.
Cambridge have dominated in both the women’s and men’s races and in the men’s race the Light Blues are strong favourites once more. It’s a different tale in the women’s race, where Oxford start as favourites.
First up is the women’s race, set to get under way at 2.21 and then at the men’s battle will begin at 3.21 – stay here for all the action on the Thames.