Henley Produces Choppy Waters For Oxford
There was Oxford disappointment in the Women's Boat Race on Saturday 26th March. The powerful Cambridge crew, surely one of their best in the past ten years, had too much horsepower for the lightest Oxford eight on record. Whilst Cambridge had stormed to fourth place in the previous month's Women's Eights Head, Oxford were struggling to decide on their crew line-up and coach Ian Shore admitting selection problems hampered preparations.
The Dark Blues struggled to find a solid rhythm, failing to capitalise on the half-length lead they gained before halfway. Cambridge rode out the push, and cruised out to a two-and-a-half-length victory.
Some consolation for Shore and his squad came from the victory of the women's reserve crew Osiris, who beat Blondie by two lengths. Further inspiration should come from the impressive performances of Blue Boat stroke Hilary Powell and her pairs partner Alice Freeman at the senior Great Britain trials, which have put them in contention for selection for the next World Cup.
Meanwhile, the light-weight squads completed another clean sweep that was testament to their technical aptitude and racing mentality. The women's lightweights prevailed in an eventful contest, with the crews veering into each other's water, and then having to change lines completely to avoid three unauthorised cruisers that decided to plough down the racing course.
Oxford coped better, holding their half-length lead to the finish. The lightweight men's victories were more straightforward, with the Lightweight Boat Race won in 5 minutes 51 seconds to Cambridge's 6 minutes 3 seconds, and the reserves Nephthys blasting out of the start and never looking back to record a massive four-length win.
21st Apr 2005