This website covers all aspects of the rich history of rowing, as a sport, culture phenomena, a life style, and a necessary element to keep your wit and stay sane.
Both boat club flags at Putney. As I mention annually and pedantically, OUBC was not founded in the year of the first Boat Race, 1829, it was formed at a meeting held on 23 April 1839 following the third race and Oxford’s second loss. CUBC was founded on 9 December 1828 prior to the first race. A Light Blue friend holds that this was the first example of Oxford playing catch up but I could not possibly comment.
My recent post, A Win for the Boat Race, showed both Blue Boat races in action using pictures provided by the Boat Race Company. Today HTBS is posting photos by Mel Brown that capture the atmosphere at the start at Putney and at the finish at Mortlake.
At Putney
Nick Holland (Oxford, 1982) always cuts a dash on Boat Race Day.Cambridge supporters seemed to adopt a higher profile than those of Oxford.The men’s trophy in place for the coin toss. When it is held by Cambridge, the finial is a lion, when held by Oxford, it is an ox.The Oxford Men’s President, Tobias Bernard, and the Cambridge Men’s President, Noam Mouelle, shake hands while the men’s race umpire, Ciarán Hayes, looks on.Cambridge cox, Sammy Houdaigui, with, to his left, Simon Hatcher and Gabriel Obholzer, and to his right, Kyle Fram and Frederik Breuer.
At Mortlake (strictly, Chiswick)
The Mortlake, Anglian and Alpha BC boathouse, provides hospitality for sponsors and important guests.The Oxford Women cross the finish line ending nine years of defeat.Hugs and relief.Two boats, two very different sets of emotions.Oxford acknowledge their supporters on the shore.The Oxford women’s coach, Allan French, seems happy.Sarah Marshall (7, seated) wins on her fourth attempt.Lilli Freischem (3) gets the first of many wet hugs.
Emily Molins (2, left) and Lilli Freischem (3, right).
Emily Molins (2, left) and Lilli Freischem (3, right).Coach French embraces victory.Cambridge President Gemma King (Bow) and Florence Brooke of Osiris.What would Oxford stroke Heidi Long be like if she lost?Long and some supporters.The Cambridge Blue Boat victorious.A great effort by Oxford, setting them up well for next year.The Cambridge women’s coach, Paddy Ryan, comforts his rowers while in the background, Blondie celebrate their win.The two Cambridge Presidents, Gemma King and Noam Mouelle.The Oxford women finally receive their elusive trophy.The women’s score now stands at 49-31 in favour of Cambridge.The Cambridge men hold their trophy aloft for the fourth consecutive time. They now have 89 victories to Oxford’s 81.The winning Cambridge crews: the Blue Boat, Goldie and Blondie.The times for the Blue Boats.
Hear The Boat Sing 