After months of hard graft out on the water and in the gym, Cambridge University Boat Club’s men’s and women’s crews will battle it out for Gemini Boat Race supremacy over their Oxford counterparts on Saturday.
The challenge is clear – can Cambridge match their heroics of 12 months ago when they recorded an historic clean sweep of victories? Oxford will certainly have something to say about that!
Indeed, as Oxford women’s president Ellie Stadler said earlier this week: “They’ll (Cambridge) be coming into the race expecting to win, but we’re here wanting a change and expecting a change.”
Below is the Cambridge Independent’s guide to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
When are the races?
• Saturday, March 30.
• The 78th Women’s Boat Race starts at 2.46pm.
• The 169th Men’s Boat Race begins at 3.46pm.
• The women’s reserve race is at 3.01pm, followed by the men’s reserves at 3.15pm.
Where can I watch the race on TV?
• Coverage of the races is on BBC One on Sunday, starting at 2pm and going off air 4.30pm.
• Coverage will be presented by Clare Balding, who read English at Newnham College in Cambridge. Commentary will be provided by Andrew Cotter.
• It can also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
• The two reserve races will not be part of the BBC coverage, but they can be streamed on The Boat Race’s official YouTube channel.
Can I watch the Boat Race in person?
• Putney Embankment is one of the most popular places for spectators to gather to see the action, it is where the crews boat and where the coin toss takes place.
• There are official Boat Race fan parks at Bishops Park, in Fulham, and another at Furnvial Gardens in Hammersmith.
• The race finishes just below the Chiswick Bridge, which will be open for spectators.
Head-to-head record
• Cambridge extended their winning margin to 86-81 with last year’s victory in the women’s race.
• It is an even healthier lead of 47-30 for Cambridge’s women.
Who will be in the boats?
Oxford Men: Jelmer Bennema (Exeter), Harry Glenister (Keble), Saxon Stacey (St John’s), James Doran (Oriel), Elias Kun (Green Templeton), Frederick Roper (Somerville), Leonard Jenkins (Mansfield), Elliott Kemp (Oriel), Cox: William Denegri (Oriel).
Oxford Women: Lucy Edmonds (Pembroke), Ella Stadler (Exeter), Tessa Haining (Balliol), Claire Aitken (Oriel), Sarah Marshall (Jesus), Annie Sharp (St Anthony’s), Julia Lindsay (St Cross), Annie Anezakis (Pembroke), Cox: Joe Gellett (St Peter’s).
What is the Championship Course?
• The stretch of water that the crews compete on is four miles and 374 yards from Putney to Mortlake.
• The Fulham and Chiswick north side of the course is known as the Middlesex Station and the Putney and Barnes south side of the course is known as the Surrey Station.
• The crew that wins the toss more often than not chooses the Surrey station which means they have the inside of the long bend round Hammersmith and Chiswick Reach.
Read more
Boat Race 2024: Men’s president Sebastian Benzecry opens up on the use of telemetry
Boat Race 2024: How rowing got under the skin of former British rider Clare Hole
Boat Race 2024: Former swimmer Megan Lee explains how she found a love for rowing
Boat Race 2024: Gemma King eyeing up the Boat Race after reserve glory with Blondie
The Cambridge Independent will have live coverage on the day and reaction online.
Then look out for our special coverage in the Cambridge Independent, out from Wednesday, April 3.
