Oxford power to victory over Cambridge in 2008 Boat Race
Oxford won he Boat Race for the fifth time in seven years
Also In The News
|
Sale stunned Guinness Premiership leaders Bath with a 22-6 win at Edgeley Park. |  |
Saturday, 29, Mar 2008 06:50
Oxford have won the 154th Boat Race by beating Cambridge by six lengths in choppy conditions on the Thames.
Pre-race favourites Oxford made a strong start but Cambridge battled back and took the lead under Hammersmith Bridge. However Oxford then took control to ease to victory.
It was a case of sweet revenge for Oxford and their cox Nick Brodie who had suffered defeat in last year's race and Cambridge now lead the series by 79-74. One race in 1877 ended in a dead heat.
The Light Blues had been given a pre-race setback when their stroke Shane O'Mara was forced to withdraw from the race shortly before on medical grounds.
Both boats appeared to struggle in the conditions and the winning time of 20 minutes, 52 seconds was the slowest since 1947.
Cambridge crossed the line in 21 minutes 14 seconds, 22 seconds behind the Dark Blues and have now lost five races in the last seven years.
The winning crew was made up of international rowers, with four Americans, one German, one Australian and two Brits.
One of the Oxford crew's American members, Michael Wherley, became the oldest rower in the race's history at 36.