Boat Race 2025: Cambridge University Boat Club vice-president Gemma King embraces ‘pressure’ of winning streak over Oxford University Boat Club

Gemma King has encouraged her Cambridge University Boat Club crew-mates to embrace the ‘pressure’ that comes with a winning Boat Race streak.

Cambridge women have enjoyed the upper hand over rivals Oxford in recent years with six straight victories on the River Thames alongside winning the 2021 edition that was hosted on the River Great Ouse in Ely due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Such a run of results brings with it a heightened level of expectation, but King is eager to use that as ‘fuel’ when the two clubs renew their long-standing rivalry on Sunday (13 April).

“Going in following a winning streak, you don’t want to be the first Cambridge crew to lose,” said St John’s College student King, who will sit in the two seat this weekend.

“People are saying we’re the favourites but you never know what’s going to happen on the day.

“We have no direct comparisons and there’s no point thinking what if this happens or what if that happens? That does put the pressure on a bit.

“But when you think about it, the squad each year is basically entirely new so you can’t look too deep into it or feel too much pressure.

“You’ve got to trust that what’s gone before has worked and we know the coaching is solid. All we can do is produce the best performance we can. You can’t change what Oxford are doing or worry about it.

“It is pressure, but there’s no point putting that pressure on yourself in a negative way. You’ve got to try to use it as fuel.”

On a personal level, King will take plenty of confidence from last year’s experience. Having been part of the lightweight boat on two occasions and in Blondie twice more, King finally fulfilled her dream of making the Blue boat 12 months ago.

And it proved to be a memorable debut as Cambridge recorded a seven-length win – their biggest margin of victory since 2017.

“It was probably one of the best days of my life – it was pretty incredible,” she added.

“We went into it as underdogs but we all gelled so well as a team and a squad.

“It was not the best start to our race but it all came together and when we moved away from Oxford it was a pretty amazing feeling.

“Doing that with the crew was one of the best days. Afterwards I felt so happy but I expected that to wear off and it wouldn’t last forever, but when I look back now it still feels just as amazing. The highs have lasted for ages.

“You could say now that I’ve achieved everything, why keep doing it? It’s always been my dream.

“Being part of the squad and training, I really enjoy it and that’s why I keep doing it.

“This year, just making the boat was a real challenge because we’ve got such a strong squad, but I put less pressure on myself.

“It’s always nerve-racking but I’ve probably been able to enjoy the build up a bit more. It’s been just as intense – if not more – but I’ve worried less because last year was so surreal and in some ways I couldn’t believe it was happening.”

The Women’s Boat Race starts the action on The Tideway at 1.21pm, with the men taking centre stage an hour later.