Cambridge produced two spectacular performances to secure a double win over Oxford in the 2024 Boat Race.
Both the men’s and women’s crews raced through to convincing wins over their old rivals on a sunny afternoon in the capital.
Much of the build-up to the races had been dominated by the condition of the water in the Thames, but once the day got underway it was the quality of the Cambridge racing that stole the show.
The women, led by cox Hannah Murphy, clawed back an early Oxford lead and roared ahead after a controversial incident in which the two boats nearly collided.
The men’s team, buoyed by a particularly inspiring shift from stroke Matt Edge, put in a similarly impressive performance, roaring to an early lead and maintaining it throughout the race to finish with a lead of three-and-a-half lengths.
Follow all the live action from the Thames in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.
Cambridge continue Boat Race dominance with famous double victory over Oxford
Cambridge extended their dominant run in the Boat Race with victory in both the men’s and women’s showdowns.
The men claimed a fifth trophy in six years, while the women cruised to a seventh straight triumph.
The wins came despite Oxford being the favourites in both races.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 17:04
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 17:20
Oxford rower complains about ‘too much poo in water’ after Boat Race loss
Oxford entered the men’s race as significant favourites with the bookmakers, but Cambridge produced a fine performance and clinched victory despite Matt Edge almost collapsing in a scary moment during the closing stages.
Build-up to the race was overshadowed earlier in the week after rowers were warned to not enter the water after E coli bacteria was discovered.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 17:10
Cambridge rower Matt Edge collapses after Boat Race victory in scary moment
Cambridge stroke Matt Edge collapsed in exhaustion at the end of the 2024 Boat Race after a gruelling victory over rivals Oxford.
The scary closing stages of the iconic race on the River Thames came after Edge’s huge effort to help Cambridge secure an early lead.
The smooth rhythm of Cambridge proved too much for Oxford, even when Edge was seen barely putting his blade into the water in the final stages.
Edge’s shoulders and head collapsed, but his teammates carried him through the finish line, prompting him to slump back into his teammate’s lap.
Bow and president Sebastien Benzecry paid tribute to Edge: “Credit to Matt, to go that deep, a lot of that margin was down to him.”
Stephanie Cockroft30 March 2024 16:50
Men’s Race highlights
A little clip of the end of the men’s race.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:47
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:39
2024 Boat Race LIVE
Cambridge are celebrating again as both the men’s and women’s trophy presentations get underway. Champagne is sprayed everywhere as the Light Blues celebrate an impressive double victory in both the women’s and men’s races.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:32
2024 Boat Race LIVE
Oxford’s Leonard Jenkins spoke to the BBC earlier too, and he seemed wholly confused at the result and their performance.
He said he didn’t really “have any words”, adding that it “didn’t, for some reason, come together on the day”.
On possible reasons for the defeat, he says that some crew members have been ill of late, including himself.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:25
Cambridge president speaks to BBC
Cambridge president Sebastien Benzecry spoke to the BBC and called the race “amazing”.
“We knew we had to put a lot into it and go to a place where we rarely go.
No one backed off for a second, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
He also credits Matt Edge, adding that “a lot of that margin in the early part of the race was down to him”.
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:20
Chris Wilson30 March 2024 16:14