2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
BOAT RACE 2000 - 2009

Oxford University v Cambridge University

Map. Port of London Rowing Chart Richmond Lock to Fulham Rail Bridge


Map taken from George Drinkwater's "The Boat Race"

146: Saturday, 25th March, 2000

In 2000 OXFORD WON by 3 lengths. Time 18 minutes and 4 seconds. Oxford 69, Cambridge 76.
[ 2000: RESERVES ISIS by 5 lengths 17:37 Both reserve boats faster than both Oxford and Cambridge? ]
Report

Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey. The tide was fairly fast. At the start Oxford rated higher than Cambridge. Past the boathouses the umpire warned both crews, trying to avoid the clashing seen in recent boat races.

At the end of the Fulham Wall, the crews were level. Oxford moved into a lead of a few feet At the Mile Post Cambridge had a 1 second lead. The boats continued more or less level. At Hammersmith Bridge Oxford had just less than ½ length.

Conditions worsened with some choppy water. Cambridge moved to no more than a ¼ length lead.

Past Chiswick Eyot the heavier Oxford crew, with their shorter more powerful strokes, were coping with the conditions better than Cambridge.

At Chiswick Steps the boats were level. Oxford gradually moved into a lead of one length by Barnes Bridge and won by 3 lengths.



Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2000









Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2000
R P Cantwell
J J O'Loghlen
R Ehlers
H N F Martin
A J West
T J Stallard
D J Tweedie
R P Stokes
G J Glassman


147: Saturday, 24th March, 2001

In 2001 CAMBRIDGE WON by 2½ lengths. Time 17 minutes, 44 seconds. Oxford 69, Cambridge 77.
[ 2001: RESERVES GOLDIE by 6 lengths 19:36 ]
Report

With no wind and very little tide Cambridge won the toss and chose the Surrey station. At the start Oxford took a slight lead. Almost immediately Cambridge steered sharply towards the Middlesex line and were warned twice in rapid succession by the umpire Rupert Obholzer.

Then Oxford, still on their own station and a matter of a few feet ahead, veered towards Surrey and were warned. Almost immediately after this and still well before the Black Buoy the blades of the two boats overlapped substantially. Cambridge bow lost his oar and the umpire stopped the race.

A restart was staged at the Black Buoy. Cambridge settled better and by Harrods were moving into a lead. At Hammersmith Bridge Cambridge led by 2/3 length. At Chiswick Steps the Cambridge lead was 7 seconds and they held that to Barnes Bridge.

Cambridge won by 2½ lengths (7 seconds).

Cambridge Bow said about his dropped oar -

It must have caught in the Oxford boat and got under. All I was thinking was just trying to get it out.
I wasn't expecting a restart or anything.

Umpire Rupert Obholzer said that when the oar fell into the water his options were either to disqualify Oxford, who had been warned as the boats nearly touched each other, or restart the race.


Bow
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3
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5
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7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2001
M F Bonham
R E G Bourne-Taylor
B J Burch
E B Lilledahl
B T Palm
M J Smith
D R Snow
I R W Wayell
J C Moncrieff

Bow
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3
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5
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7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2001
R C E C Dunn
T M Edwards-Moss
L P Hirst
T A Stallard
C J C Swainson
A J West
K M West
T Wooge
C A Cormack


148: Saturday, 30th March, 2002

In 2002 OXFORD WON by 2/3 length. Time 16 minutes and 54 seconds. Oxford 70, Cambridge 77.
[ 2002: RESERVES ISIS by 2.25 lengths 17:27 ]
Report

There had been worries that the Thames Barrier might have been raised to avoid flooding, in which case the race would have been postponed. As it was conditions were ideal with a strong tide.

Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex (only normally chosen when there is a wind from the north or the prospect a faster start enabling that crew to then choose their own course).

The starting procedure was lengthy and Cambridge were taken by surprise when eventually the race began. Oxford started well and took a ¾ length lead. Cambridge came back on them and were level by Fulham Football Ground. At the Mile Post Cambridge led by ½ length. Oxford then held them at that despite the bend in Cambridge's favour.

Oxford then reduced the Cambridge lead to a canvas at Hammersmith Bridge. Continuing a very even race Cambridge led by ½ length at Chiswick Steps.

But Cambridge may have over extended themeselves early in the race. Their number four man was in trouble, and slowly Oxford began to catch them. At Barnes Bridge the gap was only ½ second. In the last 100 yards Oxford pushed and won by 2/3 length.

It seems possible that Cambridge's poor start lost them this fantastic race with the crews overlapping the entire 4¼ miles without any clash of blades.


Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2002
Andrew Dunn
Basil Dixon
Gerritjan Eggenkamp
Dan Perkins
Luke McGee
Ben Burch
Robin Bourne-Taylor
Matt Smith
Pete Hackworth

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2002
Tom Stallard
Sam Brooks
James Livingston
Sebastian Mayer
Josh West
Lukas Hirst
Stu Welch
Rick Dunn
Ellie Griggs


149: Sunday, 6th April, 2003

In 2003 OXFORD WON by ONE FOOT. Time 18 minutes and 6 seconds. Oxford 71, Cambridge 77.
[ 2003: RESERVES GOLDIE by 3.5 lengths 18:05 Faster than the winner and without their stroke! ]
Report

Two days before the race Cambridge hit the Harbour Master’s launch, damaging the boat and several riggers and blades and also crucially breaking the wrist of Canadian bow Wayne Pommen.


1870s: THE FOUL - A COXSWAIN'S NIGHTMARE ON THE EVE OF THE UNIVERSITY BOATRACE
"For whatsoever we perpetrate we do but row, we're steered by fate" Hudibras

Cambridge moved Goldie stroke Ben Smith to row bow.

Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey. Oxford took off at 47 and led by a third of a length at the Mile Post. Cambridge, with a slower longer stroke in some choppy water steadily came back to a lead of a few feet at Harrod’s Depository. The umpire was continously warning both crews along this section.
Cambridge led by one second at Hammersmith Bridge. However Oxford succeeded in holding them to that right to Chiswick Steps. Warnings from the umpire continued. Oxford then pushed and were 2/3 length ahead at Barnes Bridge.

Cambridge then began to catch Oxford and at the finish, rating 41, failed to overtake them by just one foot.



Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2003
John Adams
Basil Dixon
Samuel McLennan
David Livingston
Robin Bourne-Taylor
Scott Frandsen
Henry Morris
Matthew Smith
Acer Nethercott

Bow
2
3
4
5
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7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2003
Ben Smith
Matthias Kleinz
Hugo Mallinson
Kristopher Coventry
Alexander McGarrel-Groves
Thomas James
James Livingston
Tim Wooge
James Omartian

The Livingston brothers in opposing boats produced a book: Blood over Water which is a fascinating insight into the boatrace.


150: Saturday, 28th March, 2004

In 2004 CAMBRIDGE WON by 6 lengths. Time 18 minutes and 17 seconds. Oxford 71, Cambridge 78.
[ 2004: RESERVES ISIS by 1.5 lengths 18:42 ]
Report

140,000,000 people watched this 150th boat race, 8,900,000 in Britain. The crowd on the river was estimated at 250,000.

Cambridge were favourites. And Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex.
Oxford made a good start and took an early lead which they opened to 2/3 length.
Cambridge then came back to level.
There was a clash of oars as they came out of the Fulham Reach and Cambridge began to lead. Then a more serious clash unseated the Oxford bow.
Before Oxford could recover Cambridge had clear water. They then opened up a lead of three lengths. Oxford had no answer and Cambridge went on to win by six lengths.

Before the main race, as well as the usual Isis-Goldie reserves race there was a replica 1829 race rowed in gigs and umpired from the Victorian Steam Launch Consuta -

The replica race was a splendid affair with the boat crews and Consuta crew in period dress. Speeds were quite fast considering that the replica boats were big hulls without swivels, or sliding seats, this race was won by Cambridge in about 22 minutes.

Tony [Consuta's engineer] said that when he took Consuta down to Putney from Brentford he ran Consuta up to 500 rpm on the engine. The re-enactment race itself however only required 300 revs average with the start a bit faster at 360 rpm. Our revs to mph conversion chart works out roughly as about 3 mph for each 100 rpm.


Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2004
Christopher Kennelly
Basil Dixon
Andrew Stubbs
Joel Scrogin
Peter Reed
David Livingston
Henry Morris
Colin Smith
Acer Nethercott

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2004
Christopher Le Neve Foster
Kris Coventry
Hugo Mallinson
Sebastian Mayer
Andrew Shannon
Steffen Buschbacher
Wayne Pommen
Nate Kirk
Kenelm Richardson


151: 27th March, 2005

In 2005 OXFORD WON by 2 lengths. Time 16 minutes and 42 seconds. Oxford 72, Cambridge 78.
[ 2005: RESERVES GOLDIE by 5 lengths 16:48 ]
Report

Cambridge were said to have the technique and Oxford the muscle power.

But Oxford made the better start, Cambridge caught up. Oxford made a big push at Chiswick Steps, and Cambridge, though they tried and tried could not get back onto terms and Oxford won by two lengths.


Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2005
Robin Bourne-Taylor
Barney Williams
Pete Reed
Joe von Matlzahn
Chris Liwski
Mike Blomquist
Jason Flickinger
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Acer Nethercott

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2005
Luke Walton
Thomas Edwards
Henry Adams
Sebastian Schulte
Matthias Kleinz
Steffen Buschbacher
Tom James
Bernd Heidicker
Peter Rudge


152: Sunday, 27th March, 2006

In 2006 OXFORD WON by 5 lengths. Time 18 minutes and 26 seconds. Oxford 73, Cambridge 78
[ 2006: RESERVES GOLDIE by 4.25 lengths 19:10 ]
Report

Oxford had the better start. They were constantly warned by the umpire along the Fulam Reach as they pushed Cambridge wide around the first bend.
Cambridge came back up to level and a brief lead at the Mile Post.
The two crews were level approaching Hammersmith Bridge, but then Oxford opened up a 1 second lead.
Then, in rough water, Oxford pushed and took a two length lead. Cambridge were in difficulties with the chop and their boat was then sitting low in the water. Oxford had a 6 second lead by Chiswick Steps, 11 seconds by Barnes Bridge, and Oxford won by 5 lengths.


Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2006
Robin Esjmond-Frey
Colin Smith
Jake Wetzell
Paul Daniels
Jamie Schroeder
Barney Williams
Tom Parker
Bastien Ripoll
Sebastian Pearce

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2006
Luke Walton
Tom Edwards
Sebastian Thormann
Thorsten Engelmann
Sebastian Schulte
Kieran West
Tom James
Kip McDaniel
Peter Rudge


153: 7th April, 2007

In 2007 CAMBRIDGE WON by 1½ lengths. Time 17 minutes and 49 seconds. Oxford 73, Cambridge 79.
[ 2007: RESERVES GOLDIE by 4 lengths 17:48 Faster than winner! ]
Report

Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey. They started well and took a slight lead by the Mile Post. At Crab Tree Reach the umpire warned Oxford a number of times.
At Hammersmith Bridge Oxford were half a length ahead. But Cambridge came back to level by Chiswick Steps and then began to open a lead. At Barnes Bridge Cambridge led by a length and a half and went on to win by a length and a quarter.


Bow
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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2007
Robin Esjmond-Frey, 14. 6
Adam Kosmicki, 15. 2
Michal Plotkowiak, 14.13
Magnus Fleming, 15. 3
Andrew Wright, 14. 1
William (Brodie) Buckland, 15.11
Terence Kooyker, 13. 9
Ante Kusurin, 15. 0
Nicholas Brodie, 8. 9

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2007
Kristopher McDaniel, 14. 3
Dan O'Shaughnessy, 15.11
Peter Champion, 15. 2
Jacob Cornelius, 15. 7
Tom James, 13.11
Kieran West, 16. 0
Sebastian Schulte, 15.11
Thorsten Engelmann, 17. 6
Rebecca Dowbiggin, 7.12

154: Saturday, 29th March 2008 at 1715

In 2008 OXFORD WON by 6 lengths. Time 20 minutes and 53 seconds. Oxford 74, Cambridge 79.
[ 2008: RESERVES ISIS by 3.25 lengths 20:43 Faster than winner! ]
Report
With an average tide and the race scheduled 94 minutes before high tide, the wind was too high for comfort and there were predictions of a possible sinking. Oxford were the heavier crew and clear favourites. When the Cambridge stroke had to be replaced only three days before the race, due to a heart murmur, the presumption was an Oxford victory.
Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey. Oxford had the better start and were then warned for their steering. With the inside of the first bend they took a half length lead. But then Cambridge pushed and held Oxford at a crucial moment. At the Mile Oxford had three quarters of a length, which Cambridge whittled down to half a length at Harrods and then by Hammersmith Bridge Cambridge led by a few feet. Cambridge were warned for their steering and the blades were interlocked but no apparent clashes occured and the boats separated.
At the Eyot, where Cambridge were leading by one third of a length Oxford pushed decisively and themselves took a third of a length lead. They opened this to one and a half lengths at the Crossing and then to two lengths as Cambridge went inside them (on the Middlesex station) looking for calmer water. But Cambridge had rowed themselves out and Oxford opened the gap to win by six lengths.


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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2008
Jan Herzog
Toby Medaris
Ben Smith
Aaron Marcovy
Michael Wherley
Oliver Moore
Charles Cole
William England
Nicholas Brodie

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2008
Colin Scott
Tim Perkins
Henry Pelly
Tobias Garnett
Peter Marsland
Tom Ransley
Tom Edwards
Ryan Monaghan in place of Shane O'Mara
Rebecca Dowbiggin

155: Sunday 29th March 2009 at 1540

In 2009 OXFORD WON by 3.5 lengths. Time 17 minutes and 1 second. Oxford 75, Cambridge 79.
[ 2009: RESERVES ISIS by 4 lengths 17:24 ]
Tide (PLA): Low Tide London Bridge at 1005 GMT, 1105 BST, 0.52m. Low tide at Putney at about 1143 GMT, 1243, BST. High Tide at London Bridge at 15.42 GMT, 16.42 BST, 7.08m. High Tide at Putney Bridge at about 1613 GMT, 1713 BST. A Spring tide, within 2 cm of the highest of the Spring tide cycle, 23cm lower than the highest tide in the quarter.

Oxford started as favourites with a heavier more experienced crew. Cambridge won the toss and chose the Surrey station. They had a poor start - perhaps attributable to nerves, but settled quickly and held Oxford around the first bend which favoured Oxford. Cambridge looked the better crew at this point and slowly took a lead.
The umpire was nervously warning both crews as the coxes steered an almost ideal course through this section. However his nagging began to take its toll and it seemed to me that both coxes then began to take his threats seriously and overreacted, slowing their boats by turning too sharply.
(Armchair coxing is easier than the real thing - and armchair umpiring with hindsight is a doddle!)
With Cambridge leading by three quarters of a length there were several clashes between the Cambridge 7 and the Oxford 2. Both boats appeared to be unsettled by this - but Oxford recovered much more quickly and rowed through Cambridge around the outside of the bend which was then in Cambridge's favour. Later when Oxford were ahead a similar situation occurred but Cambridge had no answer and Oxford then slowly rowed away from them. There was a dejection in the Cambridge crew (which may simply have been the recognition of the reality of defeat staring them in the face) - but winning crews come through despite setbacks.
Oxford should have won on size and experience - but Cambridge had the grit to very nearly overturn those odds.

Somehow, something has to be done about the steering clashing issue. It is not simple because of the tidal stream which removes any possibility of buoying the course. Hesitantly I put forward the proposition that basically the coxes be left to it - and that the umpire should confine himself to applying a clear set of rules which would define disqualification if necessary. That means that a boat race with so many millions watching might be decided by an umpire disqualifying a leading boat - and that would be quite unbearable!


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Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 2009
Michal Plotkowiak
Colin Smith
Alex Hearne
Ben Harrison
Sjoerd Hamburger
Tom Solesbury
George Bridgewater
Ante Kušurin
Colin Groshong

Bow
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Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 2009
Rob Weitemeyer
Henry Pelly
Deaglan McEachern
Peter Marsland
Ryan Monaghan
Hardy Cubasch
Tom Ransley
Silas Stafford
Rebecca Dowbiggin

After the 2009 race, after one hundred and fifty five boat races, the overall tally is: Oxford 75, Cambridge 79 (and one dead heat)
The lead in the Overall Tally of Boat Race Wins has only changed hands three times in all those years.
Scores were equal in 1836, 1863 and 1929.
Oxford won the 1829 first race.
Cambridge led from 1839 to 1862. Oxford led from 1864 to 1928. Cambridge led from 1930 to today.

1829 - - 1863 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1929 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2009
LEAD IN CUMULATIVE WINS: Oxford dark blue, Cambridge light blue

Considering the race as one continuous whole 1829 - 2009 the crews have covered about 664 miles.
Assuming 1 length = 3 seconds and 'Easily' to mean 10 lengths, 30 seconds, and excluding races in which less than two crews finished,
In about 51 and a half hours racing CAMBRIDGE LEAD by 5 minutes and 38 seconds, about 113 lengths, (which is about 2 seconds, .7 of a length per race)

1829 - - 1863 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1929 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2009
LEAD IN LENGTHS OVER ALL 664 miles

And the moral is - WHEN CAMBRIDGE WIN THEY WIN BY MORE!
Check my Spreadsheet - and tell me any errors!


1829 - - 1863 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1929 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2009
LEAD IN EACH SEPERATE RACE: Oxford dark blue, Cambridge light blue

Throughout the boat race reports there is some question as to the relationship between lengths and time interval.
Before 1977 the assumption was 3½ seconds = 1 length.
The usual assumption since 1977 is 3 seconds = 1 length; this is about right for an 18 minute race speed.
Given a standard length boat of 62 feet and assuming that the finishing speed is the average speed over the race:-

A 17 minute speed would be 1.05 lengths in 3 seconds; 1 second = 0.35 length; 10 seconds = 3½ lengths
An 18 minute speed would be 0.99 lengths in 3 seconds; 1 second = 0.33 length; 10 seconds = 3.3 lengths
A 19 minute speed would be 0.95 lengths in 3 seconds; 1 second = 0.32 length; 10 seconds = 3¼ lengths
And a 20 minute speed would be 0.9 lengths in 3 seconds; 1 second = 0.3 length; 10 seconds = 3 lengths.

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