Oxford team reeling from Boat Race loss

Cambridge won by less than a length in both races, with a rape allegation casting a shadow over the afternoon.

A rower from Oxford University Women’s Boat Club has claimed that she was attacked by another student athlete after a night out in the city on October 25.

The woman reported the incident to Sir John Bell, a scientist who advises the Government on Covid-19 and sits on the women’s boat club’s executive committee.

However, she claimed that he diminished her allegation.

Professor Sir John Bell. Picture: Bruno Caflisch

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She also reported the attack to a disciplinary officer but was told that action could not be taken because she had decided not to report the matter to police.

In the days leading up to the race, a spokesperson for the university said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases in detail, we are confident that our disciplinary teams, support services and sports clubs in all cases will show great empathy and take considerable action to advise and support any student.”

In the water, it was a unique year for the showdown between the two universities.

Instead of taking place in the River Thames, the race was moved to the River Great Ouse in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

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It was the first time since the Second World War that the race did not take place in the Thames.

The narrower Great Ouse presented dramatic moments in both contests.

Sarah Winckless, the first female to umpire the men’s race in the 166th edition, repeatedly warned Cambridge cox Charlie Marcus to alter his crew’s line as it drifted in from the right of the river bank to the centre.

Cambridge however was left celebrating its third win in a row and a fourth in the last five events.

Cambridge celebrate winning the 166th Men’s Boat Race on the River Great Ouse near Ely in Cambridgeshire. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA

“You dream of this moment,” said Cambridge rower Theo Weinberger said.

“I don’t know what to say, it’s two years’ worth of training and hard work, it just means so much and I don’t think there’s anything you can quite compare it to,” he added.

In the women’s race, Cambridge was left celebrating its fourth successive victory.

Oxford was repeatedly warned by the umpire for encroaching on Cambridge’s line but Cambridge held on, establishing a slender lead after halfway which the team never surrendered.

Cambridge celebrate the win. Picture: Naomi Baker/PA

Professor Stephen Toope, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “Huge congratulations to both crews, they did the Light Blues proud in two hard-fought duels against battling and determined Oxford opponents. Every member of each crew played their part in an afternoon of extraordinary sporting excitement.”