boat race history

what is the history of the oxford/cambridge boat race?

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

The idea for a rowing race between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge came from two friends – Charles Merivale, a student at Cambridge, and his Harrow schoolfriend Charles Wordsworth (nephew of the poet William Wordsworth), who was at Oxford.

On 12 March 1829, Cambridge sent a challenge to Oxford and thus the tradition was born which has continued to the present day, where the loser of the previous year’s race challenges the opposition to a re-match.

The Modern Boat Race still runs along the same lines but has now become a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world.

On Race Day up to 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake to witness the action.

Cambridge currently lead the series since 1829 by 78-73 but Oxford have won the past two encounters (2005 and 2006). The 153rd Boat Race takes place in 2007 on April 7th at 4.30pm.

UPDATE LATEST NEWS:
Cambridge won the 153rd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging, today by one and a quarter lengths in a time of 17:49 and in fair, sunny conditions.
Cambridge now lead the overall series by 79-73 (with one dead heat since 1829) and their win today prevented Oxford, winners in 2005 and 2006, from registering a hat-trick.

The 2008 Race will be on Saturday March 29th at 17.15.

1893 Cambridge Boat Race Team Lewis Branson Races History £8.00

BOATS: POSTAL HISTORY – FDC COVER : BERMUDA 1956 : OCEAN YACHT RACE £21.00

Oxford Cambridge Boat Race 1956 Hardback History of £8.99

The History of Tunnel Boat Racing

boat race history AMAZON PRODUCTS BELOW

Photographic Prints of The Press Boat in Fog on the day of the Boat Race, 188 from Mary Evans £10.00 10×8 Print, The Press Boat in Fog on the day of the Boat Race, 1880. Engraving showing the press boat in the River Thames at Putney, on the day of the Oxford University vs. Cambridge University Boat Race, 1880. Due to the heavy fog visible in this image, the race was postponed to the following Monday morning. Chosen by Mary Evans. Printed on 254x203mm Fuji Crystal Archive paper for stable image pe…

Fine Arts Reproduction: Sir Edward John Poynter A Roman Boat Race 64 x 88 £61.42 Fine Arts ReproductionPicture title: A Roman Boat RaceArtist: Sir Edward John PoynterPicture content: SeescapePaper: Precision CanvasArt style: AntiquesSearch terms: Fine Arts Reproduction, Roman, Boat, Race, Antiques, Seescape, poynter, sir, edward, john, 1836-1919, roman, boat, race, 1889, oil, canvas, 5cm, london, sothebys, lotHigh-quality digital Art reproduction on high-class materials. Measu…

Framed Prints of Oxford practising for the Boat Race from Mary Evans £40.00 Framed 16×12 Print, Black Grain Bevel with White Mount. , Oxford practising for the Boat Race. The Oxford team practising for the annual Boat Race. Chosen by Mary Evans. 41x30cm print in 51x41cm frame with mount individually cut to size. Wood Grain effect Artcore molding. Mount board card with high quality facing papers, core board and backing paper. Hardboard back stapled in with hanger. This ite…

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Boat Race Scenes 1903 from Mary Evans £19.00 Photo Jigsaw, BOAT RACE SCENES 1903. Scenes at the boat race competitors and spectators. . Chosen by Mary Evans. Bespoke 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle 17×12 (43x30cm). The jigsaw is delivered bagged and on a back board making a superb gift. Also supplied are a re-sealable bag, a photo example of the image and a self assemble flat packed box for storage. This item is shipped from our UK lab….

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Boat Race Hammersmith from Mary Evans £19.00 Photo Jigsaw, BOAT RACE HAMMERSMITH. The boat race, as viewed from Hammersmith Bridge. . Chosen by Mary Evans. Bespoke 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle 17×12 (43x30cm). The jigsaw is delivered bagged and on a back board making a superb gift. Also supplied are a re-sealable bag, a photo example of the image and a self assemble flat packed box for storage. This item is shipped from our UK lab….

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Boat Race Crews Training from Mary Evans £19.00 Photo Jigsaw, BOAT RACE CREWS TRAINING. The Oxford and Cambridge crews in training a birds eye view from Putney Bridge. . Chosen by Mary Evans. Bespoke 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle 17×12 (43x30cm). The jigsaw is delivered bagged and on a back board making a superb gift. Also supplied are a re-sealable bag, a photo example of the image and a self assemble flat packed box for storage. This item is shippe…

What it Takes… to Earn Your Place: Celebrating Rowing Through the 150th Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race £17.00 …

Seizing the Enigma: Race to Break the German U-boat Codes, 1939-43 £8.99 …

The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World’s Toughest Rowing Race £4.15 …