Oxford cruise to crush Cambridge
A little bit of history repeated: familiar scenes as Oxford celebrate putting the Tabs to shame in the 152nd Boat Race this month
“When the rough water came we were just awesome” was cox Seb Pearce’s comment in his post-race interview - a fair analysis of the 152nd boat race, which the Dark Blues won by five lengths in conditions so rough that several commentators had predicted a sinking. The Oxford crew, with only President Barney Williams returning from last year’s crew as compared with the five Cambridge blues that featured last year, had started the race as marginal underdogs.
It was thought that the greater experience in the Cambridge boat, along with their slight weight advantage, the disruption caused by controversy in the Oxford crew selection and Oxford cox Nick Brodie being replaced by Pearce shortly after the official crew announcements would tip the balance in their favour. Oxford, having won the toss for the first time since 1998 started on the Surrey station.
This handed Cambridge the advantage on the first and final bends, but at least granting Oxford the long middle bend. In the end, however, the slight extra shelter afforded by being closer to the bank was to prove the more crucial advantage, along with the pumps fitted to the Oxford boat. Until Hammersmith Bridge, the race was developing into a closely-fought contest.
This year the Cambridge fast start evoked much comment, but it was Oxford who streaked out of the start to gain half a length in the first few strokes. They were not able to sit back, though, as Cambridge pushed hard around the Fulham bend and were successful in their attempts to draw level by the mile post.
Both crews, but particularly Oxford, were warned extensively on this stretch, with blade-tips coming to less than a foot apart, but, thankfully, umpire Simon Harris was able to keep the crews apart, avoiding the clashing that so often mars close races. Oxford again opened up a slight lead coming under Hammersmith Bridge, but the race remained close as the crews began to round the bend and hit the waves created by the high tide and strong wind.
Here, Oxford made a crucial move that eventually decided the race. In a matter of seconds, Pearce had forced Cambridge wide and called a push, the Dark Blues opening a lead of almost a length on their opposition. Even if this had not been enough, the rough water was there to help them; Cambridge, slightly further into the centre than Oxford, shipped more water, making the boat sit lower in the water and therefore allowing more waves to break over the boat.
Together with not having the luxury of pumps, they were unable to rid themselves of the extra weight. The move gave Oxford control of their line, forcing Cambridge to tuck in behind them. From then on, it was Oxford’s race, rating slightly higher throughout and coping with the water far better than the Light Blues, whose blade work all but collapsed in the face of the conditions.
By Chiswick Steps, Oxford had a six-second lead which they extended to 11 seconds by Barnes Bridge, and 15 seconds by the finish. The final stretch after Barnes was marked by more rough water, which again Oxford ploughed through. While Cambridge struggled, their heads visibly down.
It is likely that in the modern era of buoyant boats, this is the closest we will get to a repeat of 1978, where Cambridge sank within three minutes of the finish, while Oxford, who had fitted splashboards before the race, were able to limp across the line. The result was greeted with jubilation by the Oxford crew.
Charismatic President Barney Williams • a Canadian Olympic medallist who has embraced the boat race to the extent that his baby son’s middle names include ‘Hammersmith’ • was visibly moved as he spoke of the unique nature of the race and the close friendships formed. He then before let out a roar of enthusiasm as he bounded up the steps to claim his hard-won trophy and bask in Oxford’s glory.
Meanwhile, the beaten Cambridge crew paid tribute to Oxford’s success, but blamed the rough water for much of their troubles, with Olympic gold medallist Keiron West saying “it’s upsetting that the conditions came into it so much”. Earlier in the day, Goldie, the Cambridge reserve boat, had gained a convincing win over Oxford’s boat, Isis, gaining the lead off the start and never relinquishing it despite several concerted Dark Blue pushes that closed the gap considerably.
By Barnes, it was clear that the effort taken in these pushes had left Isis with nothing, allowing Goldie to cruise to a five-length victory. Cambridge lead the Boat Race series 79-73, with one dead heat, while the Isis- Goldie series stands at 27- 15.
20th Apr 2006