Oxford end Cambridge dominance in men’s Boat Race on return to the Thames

Long-serving coach Sean Bowden praised the “extremely powerful” energy of his Oxford men’s crew after they secured a first Boat Race victory since 2017 on the event’s return to the River Thames.

The race returned to the capital for the first time in three years, with the 2020 edition cancelled and last April’s event held at the remote location of the Great River Ouse.

Cambridge had dominated before and after the coronavirus pandemic with victory in each of the last three races, but that was halted by Bowden’s men who finished in 16 minutes and 42 seconds, the joint-third fastest time in the event’s history.

It gave Oxford’s chief coach a 13th Tideway triumph since he started in the role after the 1997 race and he paid tribute to his rowers for giving him the motivation to continue.

“You are only one loss away from a losing streak aren’t you? No, we are really pleased. It has been pretty tough over the last couple of years,” Bowden said.

“We’ve had some good boats and missed out in 2020, last year I think we had a good boat and didn’t think the situation or all the pressure around the race allowed our guys to produce their best, so this is huge for us.

“I am a bit old to think about another career now but it is what I have chosen to do, I want to do it as well as I can and I really enjoy the work.

“I have a great team around me and the energy you get from young, highly-motivated people is extremely powerful so you keep wanting to test yourself out. I am always keen to learn and keep trying to improve.

“We will lose a lot of rowers now so it will be a reset for us next year but it is great some of the guys who have been through the difficulties of the last few years were still here this year and had their chance.

“It does