Boat Race 2023 LIVE: Cambridge and Oxford compete over four mile course on River Thames
Cambridge men hope to regain their title after Oxford won the 2022 race
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2023 Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford takes place London this afternoon as the two famous universities clash on the River Thames.
In the men’s race last year, Oxford ended three years of Cambridge victories with a win of two and a quarter lengths. It was their first victory since 2017 after the race was abandoned in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The margin of victory was the same in the women’s race but the spoils went to Cambridge who extended their winning run to five years.
The 77th women’s race starts at 4pm and the 168th men’s follows at 5pm. An estimated 250,000 people are expected to watch the races from the banks of the river as the annual event takes place over 4.25 miles from Putney to Mortlake.
Follow all the action from the Boat Races with our liveblog below:
Men’s Boat Race
Oxford are right behind the Cambridge boat and this will come down to endurance. Which of these crews has the energy to keep going to the end?
Oxford are gaining on Cambridge.
Men’s Boat Race
Cambridge’s rhythm is very strong as they look to get away but Oxford cox, Anna O’Hanlon, isn;t letting them. This is a very good race and Oxford could be starting to get back into this.
Men’s Boat Race
Oxford have cut into Cambridge’s lead as the crews approach Hammersmith Bridge. Around 80% of the time whichever crew leads at this point goes on to win.
Cambridge have the lead.
Men’s Boat Race
Oxford need to respond. They’ve got a bunch of powerful rowers in the boat and the next bend comes in their favour.
Cambridge are trying to ease ahead to cut off the Oxford advantage.
Men’s Boat Race
Jasper Parish, the Cambridge cox, moves his boat closer to the Fulham wall. It’s a bold move that works brilliantly and takes Cambridge into the lead.
They’re almost a length ahead now.
Men’s Boat Race
The overhead view shows Oxford slightly in the lead as Cambridge are repeatedly told to move apart by the umpire.
The crews approach Craven Cottage with Cambridge aiming for smoother water.
Men’s Boat Race
And they’re off! Oxford won the men’s race last year but come into this one as underdogs. The defending champions have the Surrey station which should help them later on.
Cambridge thunder out of the start and are being urged to move away from the Oxford boat.
Rowing trying to reach wider communities
Kyra Edwards says “rowing isn’t a sport that comes to you, you have to seek it out.”
There is a push to make rowing more accessible and Olympic champions Helen Glover shared her story saying:
“I grew up in a small town in Cornwall, it was something that people like me didn’t do. I took up rowing at 21 and became Olympic champion four years later. It has changed my life.”
Men’s Boat Race
The rudder issue seems to have been resolved but it’s a bit of an unwanted problem just before the start of the race.
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