Cambridge won the 76th Boat Race against Oxford in an outstanding race, with both crews breaking the previous course record. Three Newnham rowers were in the Blues Boat, with a fourth in Blondie, the reserve boat, which also won their race.
Watch the win on the BBC website (UK viewers only)
Newnham’s Sarah Portsmouth, Caoimhe Dempsey and Adriana Perez Rotondo formed part of a particularly strong crew, alongside Olympians Ruby Tew and Grace Prendergast. All three Newnhamites had rowed in last year’s winning boat, and brought experience as well as skill to the race.
The crews returned to the Tideway after last year’s race on the Great Ouse at Ely. The atmosphere was electric, and both crews made a strong start. However, a bold move by the Cambridge cox put Cambridge ahead of Oxford early on, and the Dark Blues found themselves rowing through the choppy water of Cambridge’s wake. The choice caused some discussion among the BBC’s commentators, but Cambridge’s risk-taking, alongside their strength, paid off, and Oxford stayed behind throughout.
As the commentator noted, despite Oxford’s excellent technique, “Cambridge seem to be in a different league here.”
The crew ultimately secured a two-length victory, coming in at 18:23, 7.83sec quicker than Oxford.
Blondie, the reserve boat, with Millie Hopkins in the crew, followed with no less success in their race, winning by 2 3/4 lengths at a time of 19:09. This made the 6th win in a row for Blondie.
Congratulations to all those who took part on an remarkable achievement.