The Boat Race 2005

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151st Boat Race
Date27 March 2005 (2005-03-27)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory2 lengths
Winning time16 minutes 41 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		78–72
UmpireBoris Rankov[1]
(Oxford)
Other races
Reserve winnerGoldie
Women's winnerCambridge
← 2004 2006 →

The 151st Boat Race took place on 27 March 2005. Oxford won the race by two lengths in a time of 16 minutes 41 seconds. The race also featured four Olympic rowers in each crew.

In the reserve race Goldie beat Isis and Cambridge won the Women's race.

Background

The Boat Race is an annual competition between Oxford University and Cambridge University. First held in 1829, the competition is a 4.2 miles (6.8 km) race along the River Thames in southwest London. The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities and followed throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide.[2] Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 2004 race by six lengths,[3] and led overall with 78 victories to Oxford's 71 (excluding the dead heat of 1877).[4] The race was sponsored by Xchanging for the first time.[5]

Crews

The Oxford crew (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") was the heaviest in Boat Race history,[6] with over a 21 pounds (9.5 kg) per crew member over the Cambridge crew (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues").[7] Both crews had an average age of 25. The Oxford crew featured five Britons, three Americans and a Canadian while the Cambridge crew consisted of four Germans, three Britons, an American and an Australian.[8][9] Four rowers in each crew had represented their countries at the Olympic Games.[6]

Oxford
Cambridge
File:University of Cambridge coat of arms official.svg
Name Nationality Age Name Nationality Age
Mike Blomquist American 23 Henry Adams British 24
Robin Bourne-Taylor British 25 Steffen Buschbacher German 27
Jason Flickinger American 27 Tom Edwards Australian 27
Chris Liwski American 24 Bernd Heidicker German 26
Peter Reed British 23 Tom James British 21
Andy Triggs Hodge British 25 Matthias Kleinz German 28
Joseph von Maltzahn British 26 Sebastian Schulte German 26
Barney Williams Canadian 28 Luke Walton American 25
Acer Nethercott (cox) British 27 Peter Rudge (cox) British 23

Race description

Cambridge won the coin toss and elected to start from the northern bank (the "Middlesex side") of the Thames.[6] At race time, conditions were cloudy and cool, with rain falling midway through.[10]

Cambridge made a poor start allowing Oxford to take the early lead, but warnings from the umpire forced the Oxford cox to steer out of the racing line and relinquish the advantage. As they approached Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford out-rated Cambridge and held a half-a-length lead.[10] Taking a clear-water advantage before reaching Barnes Bridge, Oxford passed the finishing post two lengths ahead, with a time of 16 minutes, 41 seconds.[6] It was their third victory in the previous four years and brought the overall result to 78–72 in Cambridge's favour.[3] At the finish, following tradition, the Oxford crew threw their cox, Acer Nethercott, into the water in celebration.[11]

In the reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie beat Oxford's Isis.[10] Earlier, Cambridge won the 60th women's race by two-and-a-third lengths.[12]

Reaction

Oxford's Barney Williams had lost out on gold in the Athens Olympics by two inches, he said "I knew how much it was going to hurt to lose so half of me is just so glad we didn't lose".[13] Departing Cambridge coach Robin Williams said of his crew "They fought like tigers and should be proud of themselves".[13]

References

  1. ^ Davies, Gareth A. (27 March 2009). "60 Second Interview: Boris Rankov, Boat Race Umpire". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Former Winnipegger in winning Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race crew". CBC News. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Boat Race – Results". theboatrace.org. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Classic moments – the 1877 dead heat". theboatrace.org. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Boat Race sponsor Xchanging to end contract". BBC News. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d "Oxford capture Boat Race success". BBC Sport. 27 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Oxford unveil record crew weight". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Meet the Oxford University team". BBC Sport. 21 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Meet the Cambridge University crew". BBC Sport. 21 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "The Boat Race as it happened". BBC Sport. 27 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  11. ^ "University Boat Race photos". BBC Sport. 27 March 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Women's Boat Race – results". theboatrace.org. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  13. ^ a b Gough, Martin (27 March 2005). "Victory eases Williams' pain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2014.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Boat_Race_2005&oldid=604866586"