Oxford triumph in men’s Boat Race as Cambridge set record in women’s event

Oxford were able to end Cambridge’s recent supremacy in the men’s Boat Race with victory on the traditional university showpiece’s return to the River Thames.

In the first Boat Race held in London since 2019, the Dark Blues halted their rivals’ run of three straight race wins to give long-serving chief coach Sean Bowden a 13th success in his 25th year in the role.

The bookmakers had made Oxford the overwhelming favourites and a hefty advantage was built up by the turn of the bend near Hammersmith Bridge. It was all about bringing the boat home and cox Jack Tottem kept his crew focused to ensure an Oxford win for the first time in five years.

In the women’s race, Cambridge maintained their dominance over their Oxford counterparts with a fifth successive victory, setting a new record time in the process. After establishing a healthy advantage at the halfway point, Cambridge never let up and won in a time of 18 minutes and 22.936 seconds.

The umpire, John Garrett, repeatedly told the Light Blues cox, Jasper Parish, to alter the line of his boat after an aggressive start. After the race, the Oxford cox, Joe Gellet, appealed for a disqualification, but Garrett turned his request down.

“I would say I probably took a risk quite early on to get ahead of them and send the puddles down,” Parish said afterwards. “It was a risk that paid off … Oxford raced really well and pushed us right until the end. I’m just so proud to be a part of it and it is a pleasure to be here.”

Luke McLaughlin’s report from Mortlake will follow