This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/06/oxford-cambridge-boat-race

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oxford ease to biggest Boat Race victory over Cambridge since 1973 Oxford ease to biggest Boat Race victory over Cambridge since 1973
(about 17 hours later)
In the long and idiosyncratic history of the Boat Race, only once in 160 editions has the winning distance been noted in words not numbers. On that occasion, in 1829, it was merely stated that Oxford University had beaten Cambridge University "easily".In the long and idiosyncratic history of the Boat Race, only once in 160 editions has the winning distance been noted in words not numbers. On that occasion, in 1829, it was merely stated that Oxford University had beaten Cambridge University "easily".
Almost 185 years later that same adverb seemed entirely apt as Oxford won, stretching away in a time of 18min 36sec. The winning distance, 11 lengths, was the biggest margin for a Boat Race victory since 1973. But there was controversy and frustration afterwards as Cambridge complained bitterly that a clash of oars after only five minutes had ruined their chances.Almost 185 years later that same adverb seemed entirely apt as Oxford won, stretching away in a time of 18min 36sec. The winning distance, 11 lengths, was the biggest margin for a Boat Race victory since 1973. But there was controversy and frustration afterwards as Cambridge complained bitterly that a clash of oars after only five minutes had ruined their chances.
It happened more than a mile into the race, just past the Harrods furniture repository. With the two boats side by side and squabbling for the best line, Cambridge's Luke Juckett tangled with Oxford's Sam O'Connor.It happened more than a mile into the race, just past the Harrods furniture repository. With the two boats side by side and squabbling for the best line, Cambridge's Luke Juckett tangled with Oxford's Sam O'Connor.
The clash appeared minor but the effect was catastrophic. Juckett's rigger bent during the collision, he missed five or six strokes, and Oxford surged clear. At that point the race was over. Cambridge's chances had been well and truly jiggered. After the race they immediately appealed but it was thrown out.The clash appeared minor but the effect was catastrophic. Juckett's rigger bent during the collision, he missed five or six strokes, and Oxford surged clear. At that point the race was over. Cambridge's chances had been well and truly jiggered. After the race they immediately appealed but it was thrown out.
The umpire, Richard Phelps, had warned Cambridge just beforehand so there was no question of foul play. But the cold looks on their faces afterwards suggested they felt hard done by.The umpire, Richard Phelps, had warned Cambridge just beforehand so there was no question of foul play. But the cold looks on their faces afterwards suggested they felt hard done by.
Phelps firmly disagreed. As he explained: "The Cambridge bow moved close so I warned them. The next thing there was contact. Their appeal was that when the foul occurred Oxford were not on their proper station and therefore Cambridge were victims of an illegal foul. But Oxford were clearly on their station.Phelps firmly disagreed. As he explained: "The Cambridge bow moved close so I warned them. The next thing there was contact. Their appeal was that when the foul occurred Oxford were not on their proper station and therefore Cambridge were victims of an illegal foul. But Oxford were clearly on their station.
"I told them I was overruling their appeal and my advice was for them to congratulate the winners and they duly did.""I told them I was overruling their appeal and my advice was for them to congratulate the winners and they duly did."
There were cries of "Three cheers for Cambridge" followed by "Three cheers for Oxford". But there was none of the joviality that was seen before the start at Putney Bridge, where some old boys wore long scarves like curtain drapes and others sported red, yellow and light-blue deerstalkers that looked as if MCC and Cambridge colours had been accidentally put on hot wash.There were cries of "Three cheers for Cambridge" followed by "Three cheers for Oxford". But there was none of the joviality that was seen before the start at Putney Bridge, where some old boys wore long scarves like curtain drapes and others sported red, yellow and light-blue deerstalkers that looked as if MCC and Cambridge colours had been accidentally put on hot wash.
The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, watching the race on a boat called the Bosphorus sat next to the BBC's director general Chris Patten, while an estimated 250,000 packed the banks of the Thames. Naturally, being a traditional British occasion, it drizzled throughout. The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, watching the race on a boat called the Bosphorus sat next to the chair of the BBC Trust, Chris Patten, while an estimated 250,000 packed the banks of the Thames. Naturally, being a traditional British occasion, it drizzled throughout.
Oxford entered the race as overwhelming favourites. They had three Olympic medallists in their ranks while Cambridge did not have any.Oxford entered the race as overwhelming favourites. They had three Olympic medallists in their ranks while Cambridge did not have any.
Admittedly they were able to call upon the German Helge Gruetjen, the theoretical physicist who has an office next to Stephen Hawking, but they needed all the planets to align to pull off an upset. On this day they were all askew.Admittedly they were able to call upon the German Helge Gruetjen, the theoretical physicist who has an office next to Stephen Hawking, but they needed all the planets to align to pull off an upset. On this day they were all askew.
The Dark Blues, having won the toss, chose the Surrey station, which gave them the advantage round the long middle bend of the four-and-a-quarter mile horseshoe, from Putney to Chiswick. They did not need it, for by then the race was over. The last 13 minutes were merely a victory procession.The Dark Blues, having won the toss, chose the Surrey station, which gave them the advantage round the long middle bend of the four-and-a-quarter mile horseshoe, from Putney to Chiswick. They did not need it, for by then the race was over. The last 13 minutes were merely a victory procession.
But afterwards the Cambridge coach Steve Trapmore insisted there had been still all to play for when the incident occurred. "Both crews were being warned, there was a clip of an oar and our two man caught a crab, breaking the rigger," he said. "It's immensely frustrating. We knew this race would be tough. It was David versus Goliath. It was shaping up to be a great race and I don't think anybody wanted to win in that way."But afterwards the Cambridge coach Steve Trapmore insisted there had been still all to play for when the incident occurred. "Both crews were being warned, there was a clip of an oar and our two man caught a crab, breaking the rigger," he said. "It's immensely frustrating. We knew this race would be tough. It was David versus Goliath. It was shaping up to be a great race and I don't think anybody wanted to win in that way."
The Oxford president, Malcolm Foley, disagreed. "We had withstood their big push early. They came over and crashed out. To be totally honest it didn't change the outcome."The Oxford president, Malcolm Foley, disagreed. "We had withstood their big push early. They came over and crashed out. To be totally honest it didn't change the outcome."
Oxford's Constantine Louloudis, who celebrated his third victory in the race, also claimed that the better crew had won. "We had a plan and we stuck to it – and we knew it gave us the best chance of consolidating our early gain," he said. "We had control of the race throughout."Oxford's Constantine Louloudis, who celebrated his third victory in the race, also claimed that the better crew had won. "We had a plan and we stuck to it – and we knew it gave us the best chance of consolidating our early gain," he said. "We had control of the race throughout."
• This article was amended on 7 April 2014. An earlier version incorrectly described Chris Patten as the BBC's director general.