Cambridge water torture as Oxford cruise to victory

By the time the Dark Blue favourites had crossed the line at Mortlake after four and a quarter gruelling miles on the River Thames, they were a whopping six lengths ahead of their dejected Cambridge University rivals to record their third victory in the last four races and reduce the overall race tally to 79-74.

The victory was a triumph for Oxford president and cox Nick Brodie, who was dropped from the crew two years ago a fortnight before the race and re-instated last year only to lose out in a closely-fought encounter.

His victory this year robbed the Cambridge cox Rebecca Dowbiggin of becoming the first woman to win back-to-back races for the Light Blues.

Conditions meant that the winning time of 20min 53sec was the slowest since 1947, an indication of just how tough it was for these super-fit athletes who have trained for six months for the race of their lives.

But at least nobody sank. Bookies had cut the odds of a first sinking for 30 years from 33-1 to 16-1 before the race but there was never any likelihood of that as crews who had trained for the roughest water were able to cope.

For half the race it was a thrilling contest until Oxford's power told over the closing stages.

After Cambridge won the toss and chose the Surrey station, Oxford made the better start, surging into a half-length lead by the mile post.

But Cambridge, who lost their ace American stroke Shane O'Mara only three days before the race through illness, showed true character to stay in contention and took the lead themselves as they maximised the inside line of the Surrey bend.

But the crucial moment came soon afterwards as Oxford, with a 10lb per man advantage, chose their moment to make their move, pouring on the power around the outside of the bend.

As everyone in the contest knew it was not a race to Mortlake but a race to get ahead. Once in the dominant position after 14 minutes gone there was no catching Oxford, who surged on to leave Cambridge with only pride left.

Mike Wherley, the Oxford No 5 and the oldest man at 36 to appear in — and win — the Boat Race, believed that the crew had lived up to their potential.

"We were patient and we had to wait for our opportunity," said the American. "We started well but we knew it wasn't over. We just had to wait our moment. When the moment came we went for it and it was over pretty quickly.

"Nick Brodie kept calm throughout the race, which was crucial to us sticking to our strategy, and has set the tone throughout the training programme. I'm privileged to be part of this crew — and being 36 doesn't matter. There's older people doing great things in sport apart from me. But I won't be back. I'm on a one-year course and that's it."

Oxford took special delight in their victory after a yearlong campaign to get last year's result reversed.

After Cambridge had won, stroke Thorsten Engelmann walked out of his course and went home to Germany to train with his national crew, breaking a gentleman's agreement that the student element of the race should be maintained.

Oxford claimed that Cambridge had broken the rules but the Light Blues refused to back down and concede the race.

At least there will be no argument on this occasion.