Photo: theboatrace.org

A couple of days ago, Oxford University BC announced a change in the Dark Blue crew. Tom Watson (on the right), who so successfully has stroked Isis for three years, replaced Chris Fairweather in the two seat. Watson has represented Canada in the lightweight quadruple scull at the Under-23 World Championships.

According to the Boat Race website, the Dark Blue coach Sean Bowden said: “After further testing in the week after the Weigh-in, Tom Watson has been selected for the Oxford Blue Boat replacing Chris Fairweather in the 2 seat. Tom brings with him a good deal of experience having stroked 3 winning Isis crews. Chris Fairweather is now rowing in the Isis crew.”

Earlier today, Oxford raced against Leander in their final pre-race fixture. Oxford, on the Middlesex station, took the lead from the start, and was a length ahead at the Town Buoy, which at the Mile Post had increased to two lengths. At the finish at Chiswick Steps, Oxford was three lengths ahead. Read a race report from the Boat Race website here.

The 2014 BNY Mellon Boat Race will take place on 6 April 2014.