Oxford lose veterans race
Cambridge rowers beat Oxford by four lengths in a race commemorating the 60th anniversary of the only Boat Race not to be rowed on the Thames.
In 1944 bombing over London meant the venue of the Boat Race had to be changed to a 1.5 mile stretch on the River Ouse, near Ely in Cambridgeshire. It was the first boat race of World War II, and Oxford won by three quarters of a length, in eight minutes and six seconds.
Members of the original 1944 crews featured as guests of honour at a day of celebrations on Saturday 28th February. The organiser, Cllr Jack Waterfall, said: "The day was fantastic and the veterans came up trumps."
The original crews stepped aside to let younger veterans take their places on the river. Jerry Dale, 55, a University rower as an undergraduate from 1969-71, captained the Oxford boat, and told The OxStu how much he and his team enjoyed the day: "The disappointment of losing to the Tabs was far outweighed by the fabulous experience we all had."
3rd Apr 2004