Oxford vs Cambridge: a day at the races

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5th April 2021

The 163rd Cancer Research UK University Boat Race ended as the first had in 1829: with victory for Oxford.

Leading from start to finish, the Dark Blue crew completed their fourth victory in five years in a time of 16min 59sec.

Oxford vs cambridge boat race.
Cambridge boat race. 1923 oxford vs cambridge.

It was a glorious day on the Tideway. The river was flat and calm; the banks were rammed with upward of a quarter of a million spectators who had been marinating all afternoon in the compelling combination of the spring sun and Pimm’s. Every vantage point was taken. Dozens watched from the top of St Mary’s Church tower by Putney Bridge, near Barnes Bridge a man in the slightest pair of Speedos viewed events from atop a bus shelter. Everywhere, the whiff of barbecue wafted across the river.

Amid a gathering shower of champagne, the day’s two victorious crews attempted to maintain tradition with a synchronised throw of their cox into the water. But Oxford’s men won that race too, dispatching the chap who steered them to victory into the river ahead of Cambridge’s women.

With that, for the Cook brothers there was the opportunity to enjoy the moment with their family, to recall their grandfather who had died earlier in the year and missed out on watching the boys’ triumph. Not that Oliver’s celebrations will be extensive. He was due to join the Great Britain squad in a training camp first thing on Monday morning. His brother James had joked: “I’m going to make sure he misses the flight. That’s my job.” At least he didn’t miss the boat.

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