Oxford Claim Clean Sweep in Landmark Boat Races
London. Oxford’s men and women recorded handsome victories over eternal rivals Cambridge in a landmark moment for the Boat Races on London’s River Thames on Saturday.
For the first time in the event’s 88-year history, the female eights from the prestigious British universities raced on the same stretch of the river and on the same day as the male crews.
Oxford’s female ‘Dark Blues’ came in six-and-a-half lengths clear of Cambridge to claim a 12th victory in 16 years, with their male counterparts prevailing by the same margin an hour later.
“It’s an amazing moment. To pull something off like that is amazing,” Oxford University Women’s Boat Club president Anastasia Chitty told the BBC.
“To row on the same stage as the men, there were so many women before us who have never had this opportunity and it’s extremely humbling. We started moving away early on and kept ourselves ahead.”
Oxford’s men have now won four of their last five encounters with ‘Light Blues’ Cambridge after their one-sided success in the 161st men’s Boat Race.
Outgoing Oxford president Constantine Louloudis said: “I felt much more pressure this year, especially as I was leaving the guys.
“There were some pretty dark moments going in, but I’m so pleased for the guys. We just stuck to our plan and executed a really good race.”
Agence France-Presse
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