5 April 2026

Tim Koch, text
Boat Race Company, photography

Tim Koch takes stock.

I don’t know why my breast should swell
With pride of those whose only function
Is to defeat the men who dwell
On t’other side of Bletchley Junction.

– R.E. Swartwout, 1930 (Bletchley Railway Junction is equidistant between Oxford and Cambridge).

As HTBS Types will have noticed, Saturday was Boat Race Day. Even those with a particular allegiance must agree that it was a good day for the great institution that is the Oxford – Cambridge Boat Race. 

Oxford have been playing catch up with an innovative and wildly successful Cambridge programme and the results of this that manifested on Saturday must have exceeded their most optimistic hopes. Oxford’s women convincingly achieved that most difficult of tasks, ending a long winning run, and their men performed way beyond the pundits’ predictions. The results leave a fascinating set up for next year.

As may be appropriate for Easter, I have been removing egg from my face as, going against the trend, I predicted a win for the Cambridge women and, going with the trend, forecast a processional race off the start for the men. I was wrong on both counts suggesting that I should avoid predictions and stick to writing about rowers and races long consigned to history.

HTBS pictures from Mortlake and Putney and a critique of the broadcast coverage will follow but here are some images of a great day for all courtesy of the Boat Race.

For those that missed it, the broadcast coverage will be available to watch on demand on The Boat Race YouTube channel by 12.00 BST on 6 April.