Boat Race 2023: Cambridge University Boat club continue domination of women’s race with latest victory against Oxford

Cambridge University Boat Club women’s crew continued their recent domination of the Gemini Boat Race with today’s commanding victory.

The Light Blues, who opted to start from the Surrey station after winning the toss, headed to the Tideway having won the last five meetings with old rivals Oxford, the most recent of which came in record time.

And that sequence has now extended to six straight wins as they triumphed in what was the 77th Women’s Boat Race.

It was Oxford that got off to the more positive start but by the time that the two boats reached Fulham Football Club’s Craven Cottage ground, Cambridge had closed the gap.

Umpire Matt Smith was then forced on more than one occasion to warn the teams to keep apart before Cambridge started to open up a comfortable advantage at the halfway stage - and there was no clawing them back despite Oxford’s best efforts.

Cambridge eventually stopped the clock in 20 minutes and 28 seconds, with their opponents 12 seconds further back.

Women’s president Caoimhe Dempsey, who was the only returning Blue in the Cambridge boat, said: “That was a whirlwind of a race. The conditions changed so much from start to finish.

“It is still sinking in. The girls handled it really well. Oxford really didn’t let us go and they had an amazing start.

“That is the nature of the Boat Race (after the early warnings). James (Trotman, cox) went for it, he is competitive.

“I am the only one from last year’s crew, but the girls have international experience and the love and fun of racing.”

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Meet the Cambridge University Boat Club’s women’s crew