29 March 2024

By Tim Koch

Tim Koch is not a Flapper but is still “chawmed” by those training at Putney.

During Tideway Week, the seven (or more) days before Boat Race Day, the crews are living in or near Putney and go out on the river twice a day for light paddling and practice starts, their hard training now behind them. On the plus side, the water work is physically undemanding and the land work is the ever popular eating and sleeping. On the minus side, it could be a time when negative thoughts intrude.

Three-times British Prime Minister Harold Wilson once observed that, “A week is a long time in politics”. While this is undoubtedly true, I sometimes wonder what the time span of Tideway Week feels like for those crews waiting for Boat Race Day to dawn in the culmination of nine months of ridiculously hard work for one long, hard race that can only be won or lost.

The media launch shadowed the crews afloat on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the writers looking for clues as to form, the photographers looking for a picture that stands out from the rest.

The recently released Media Pack from the Boat Race Company has a very nice form guide for each of the Blue Boats and, in an interesting deviation from usual practice, gives an opinion on who is favourite for each race. I have reproduced these summaries in full below.

Oxford Men

The Boat Race Company’s Summary:

Oxford have recruited a number of internationally experienced student athletes for this season; they have three returning Blues but only one, James Doran has made the 2024 Blue Boat. The combination of the talent available to coach Sean Bowden and the performances in the Fixtures, puts Oxford Men on paper as the favourites to win.

In racing against other clubs in January and February Oxford performed very well. Against Leander Club, made up of athletes on the fringe of the British team, Oxford demonstrated a strong racing start and showed resilience by extending their early lead in the middle sections of their race. The race with Leander was marred by clashes and disciplinary issues, with Oxford involved in incidents leading to warnings and a significant clash, which resulted in Leander’s disqualification by Umpire, Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Against Oxford Brookes University, one of the UK’s top rowing clubs, Oxford men had to row back against Oxford Brookes who had pulled out to an early 3⁄4 Length lead, whilst Oxford did not win the race, they pulled back to just a few seats short. This was an excellent result for the Dark Blues against a crew that is made up of full time athletes.

Cambridge Men

Unfortunately, the press launch following the Cambridge men broke down after fifteen minutes, so I had only a limited selection of pictures to choose from.

The Boat Race Company’s Summary:

Cambridge have retained much of their 2023 squad and have 6 returning Blues, 5 of whom will line up on 30th March (Seb Benzecry, Noam Mouelle, Tom Lynch, Matt Edge, Luca Ferraro). Whilst this will give the Light Blues a Boat Race crew with experience, it is not clear if they will have the power to overcome a strong Oxford crew.

In Fixture racing, Cambridge demonstrated consistent and technically proficient rowing, against the Dutch National Development Team, Cambridge won convincingly, showcasing their ability to maintain and extend leads under pressure. Against Oxford Brookes, where a direct comparison with Oxford could be made, Cambridge were beaten by Oxford Brookes who took the victory with clear water between the crews. This was a disappointing result as despite being able to pull out an early lead, Cambridge allowed their rhythm to be impacted by a clash and found themselves down by clear water by the finish.

Racing Leander the Cambridge Men put in an impressive performance, closing down a 3⁄4 length lead to finish level in their first piece but were outgunned in the second piece, losing by 1 1/2 lengths.

Oxford Women

The Boat Race Company’s Summary:

Oxford Women have no less than eight returning Blues, including two coxes with Blue Boat experience (Joe Gellett & Tara Slade). In addition to many returning Blues, Oxford have also recruited new members to the team, with accomplished rowers joining the setup. Annie Sharp and Lucy Edmunds at 6 and 7 respectively will be key rowers in the crew, bringing experience and a winning mindset to the squad.

In racing the Oxford Women’s team has displayed confidence, managing to overcome tight margins and demonstrating clear growth. On paper, Oxford would appear to be the favorites to win.

The Oxford women raced home town rivals Oxford Brookes in three gritty races. Oxford impressed as they turned around the first two losses in the final race piece against Oxford Brookes; winning by 1 1/2 lengths after trailing in the first two pieces. Against University of London, the Dark Blues were the clear winners, extending an impressive lead against the crew with the home advantage.

Cambridge Women

The Boat Race Company’s Summary:

Cambridge started the season with three returning Blues; Carina Graf and Jenna Armstrong have made the 2024 Cambridge Blue Boat but James Trotman has been displaced by newcomer Hannah Murphy in the coxes seat.

In racing, Cambridge Women have lost all the Fixtures; against the Dutch National Team, Oxford Brookes and Thames Rowing Club. Whilst they may have taken learnings from each race, it can be hard to develop race confidence from a series of losses. Will Paddy Ryan’s crew be able to pull out a win against the Dark Blues after a season like this?

Against Thames Rowing Club the Cambridge crew lost an early lead but showed by maintaining pressure a comeback around the challenging Hammersmith bend was possible, they closed the margin to just 1 foot by the finish. The Dutch crew, all athletes are on the fringes of the national team, the racing against Cambridge was intense. However, despite rowing well and taking good starts, Cambridge only lost the first piece by 1 foot, but were no match over the next two races and lost by 1 length.

The 78th Women’s Boat Race begins at 14:46 on Saturday, 30th March 2024, with the 169th Men’s Boat Race an hour later.