Cambridge triumph in men’s race after Oxford win women’s race

Cambridge have arguably their best men’s squad in history but the women’s squads are much more finely balanced ahead of the iconic race
The prestigious Chanel J12 Boat Race returned today, with Oxford and Cambridge resuming their annual duel for supremacy on the banks of the River Thames.

After Cambridge secured victory in both the men’s and women’s races last year the Dark Blues were out for revenge in the historic meeting between both universities.

They secured a dominant victory in the women’s race and ended a decade of dominance by beating the Light Blues for the first time since 2016.

Oxford’s women’s crew has had a strong season and capped it off with victory in the prestigious race and president Heidi Long admitted to being ‘overwhelmed’ after their success.

On men’s front, Cambridge - who had one of the strongest crews in the world - earned a fourth successive victory after overcoming an early charge from Oxford who fought for position in the fast water before being dropped by the Light Blues.

Cambridge crossed the winning post with a lead of 11 seconds and took the title once more.

Relive all the action from The Boat Race below:
Oxford win the women's boat race
Here’s the Oxford women’s crew collecting their trophy and celebrating their triumph from this afternoon.

Martin Cross, Olympic rowing champion, says on Channel 4: “I don’t think we saw the best of Cambridge – the rough water was a great leveller.

The way the Dark Blues held on to Cambridge at the start, that was sensational.”
Oxford’s stroke, Harry Geffen, told Channel 4: “It’s obviously mixed emotions.

Gutted to come away with a loss but proud of the way we held on in there.

“A lot of people thought we’d roll over but we gave it everything we had and committed to the cause when they came.

“It was pretty rough out there.

We practice for all that but nothing prepares you for when you’re 12 minutes deep and questioning whether you’re going to make it.

“We stuck on in there and no-one gave up on the fight.

We all believed until right at the very end that we could pull it back.”
Cambridge win the men's boat race
Tobias Bernard says that the battle for the fast water between the two crews wasn’t a deliberate tactic from Oxford but more a push to get into the best position.

“No, we just went for the same base of water,” he explained.

“There was never any contact so that was never an issue.”
Oxford cox, Tobias Bernard, praised his opponents after the race and labelled Cambridge as ‘incredible’.

He told Channel 4: “I obviously devastated about the result.

We would have really wanted to go out there and win but if anything it is just testament to how strong a crew they are.

“I’m really poud of my guys but Cambridge are an incredible outfit.”
More reaction from Cambridge cox
Sammy Houdaigui also added: “I’m excited that I’m not too wet!

“That was a fast race.

All credit to Oxford, all credit to the eight rowers.

We knew that we had the right athletes in the boat and I’m just glad that I got to be a part of this and that I got to sit in the nine seat for this one.

“I love these guys, I love Cambridge, hats off to Oxford, they were fantastic.”
I'm feeling like I want a bagel
A bit of fun here as the mother of Cambridge cox, Sammy Houdaigui, says she is going to name a bagel after him now that he has won the boat race.

When told the news after the win, Houdaigui said: “I have the best mum and the best dad.

I’m feeling like I want a bagel.

“It’s a spicy bagel?

I’m a bit bland and boring so, mum, I don’t know where that came from but we won the boat race!”
Cambridge president in the boat, Noam Mouelle, gave his reaction to Channel 4 after the race and explained how difficult a row that was for the crew.

He said: “I feel amazing.

It was a super hard race, everyone was blown halfway through the race bt we had done the job early so there was no problem.

We just had to make no mistakes and this is what we did.

A great race.

“I think it will take a bit of time to realise it [equalling the Cambridge record of four wins in a row].

The goal for today was to get the job done which is what we did.

Now we can think about all that.”
The beginning of the race was exciting as both boats battled for position but once Cambridge got themselves into the lead it was only a matter of time.

They cross the winning post in 17 minutes and 56 seconds.

Oxford are 10 seconds behind but that was a strong effort from the Dark Blues.

Cue the celebrations for Cambridge.

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