End of era for Women's Boat Race

Cambridge University took the early lead before Oxford University established the stronger rhythm and overhauled the opposition within two minutes. Cambridge, with five returning members from last year’s race on board, was eager to avenge last year’s defeat. But Oxford was boating an international line-up that included Canadian lightweight sculler, Liz Fenje as well as Anastasia Chitty and Amber deVere, two former British junior world silver medallists.

Once Oxford was in the lead they dominated the second half, despite  a series of pushes from Cambridge, and went on to win by four lengths in a time of 5:50.

Cambridge University still has a significant lead in the overall series thanks to their earlier dominance of the annual race whose history goes back to 1927 and includes 68 editions.

Originally the crews were scored on style as well as speed and the race was first staged in the cities of Oxford and Cambridge in alternate years. In 1977 the clubs agreed that the world-famous regatta course at Henley-on-Thames offered the best water on neutral territory and it was held one week before the men's event.

Thanks to the support from the current race sponsors full-time coaches are available for the women's crews and the race will move to London from next year. It will be rowed on the same day as the men’s Boat Race over the 7,000m, bending  course from Putney to Mortlake.

The Boat Race, with its large worldwide television audience and about 300,000 spectators lining the course, will be a big change for the women's race which, in comparison, has been low key. The women will also move from racing a 2,000m straight course to the 7,000m distance which includes bends and bridges. The inclusion of the women’s race on the same day and same course as the men's signifies recognition of the rise in of women’s rowing.

The men's Boat Race is next up on 6 April 2014.