Oxford thrash Cambridge in first new women's boat race

In the first women's race on the famous Tideway course, Oxford humiliated Cambridge to win their 12th boat race out of the last 16.

Oxford thrash Cambridge in first new women's boat race
Oxford celebrate ass they cross the line, well in front of Cambridge
harry-robinson
By Harry Robinson

Oxford thrashed and humiliated Cambridge in the first of the new woman's boat race.

In a historic day for the boat race as the women raced on the same Putney to Mortlake course as the men, Oxford dominated from the start.

It's the first time in the 88 year history of the women's event, they raced on the famous Tideway course which has hosted the men since 1829.

Oxford flew away from Cambridge within 30 seconds of the start and finished the race 6 and a half lengths in front of their counterparts, about 19 seconds.

The dark blues were heavy favourites and continued their dominance over Cambridge with their 12th victory in the last 16 boat races.

Yet this was the first time they completed the race on the Thames course, longer than the previous 2000m course at Henley. 

Oxford women's president Anastasia Chitty described the win as an 'amazing moment', not only for the team but also for rowing and women's sport in general.

"It's an amazing moment," Chitty said. "To pull something off like that is amazing.

"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."

The writing was on the wall for Cambridge from early on and Oxford secured a dominant win, their 29th of the 70 women's races held.

"We didn't get off to our best start and Oxford did," said Cambridge president Caroline Reid. "We rallied well, though, and I'm proud of them.

"The conditions were pretty horrendous around the halfway mark with the wind against the tide and some pretty high waves."