Boat Race 2018: What time is Oxford vs Cambridge, how do I watch it and what is the race route?

Telegraph Sport
Updated
Oxford in training on the Thames - John Nguyen/JNVisuals
Oxford in training on the Thames - John Nguyen/JNVisuals

What is it?

It's the 164th annual boat race between Oxford University and Cambridge University.

The race takes place close to Easter each year on the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake.

The first race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between old school friends.

Since the second race in 1836, the contest has taken place in London.

When is it?

The race is on Saturday, 24 March. The women's race begins at 4.31pm and the men's race follows an hour later at 5.31pm.

What TV channel is it on? 

Live coverage begins on BBC One from 3.50pm with Dame Katherine Grainger and Helen Glover part of their team. 

Where does it start and finish?

The Boat Race course, known as the Championship Course is 4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 Km long.

It stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in South West London.

Boat Race - Credit: Getty Images
Cambridge University Women's Boat Club Blondie crew pose for a picture Credit: Getty Images

Where else can I watch?

There are several pleasant vantage spots along the river including two bridges at Hammersmith and Putney. Other places popular among crowds are Chiswick Pier, the Emanuel School Boathouse and Dukes Meadow - which offers a view of the closing stages of the race. 

Who has won the most races?

Oxford won last year's race to reduce Cambridge's overall lead to 82-80 in the 189-year history of the event.

The only draw in the match came in 1877 with a dead heat finish. 

Who will be rowing?

Women’s Blue Boat crews

Oxford Bow: Renee Koolschijn 2: Katherine Erickson 3: Juliette Perry 4: Alice Roberts 5: Morgan McGovern 6: Sarah Kushma 7: Abigail Killen Stroke: Beth Bridgman Cox: Jessica Buck

Cambridge Bow: Tricia Smith 2: Imogen Grant 3: Kelsey Barolak 4: Thea Zabell 5: Paula Wesselmann 6: Alice White 7: Myriam Goudet-Boukhatmi Stroke: Olivia Coffey Cox: Sophie Shapter

Men's Blue Boat crews

Oxford

  • ​Iain Mandale, bow (St Edmund Hall) 

  • Felix Drinkall, 2 (Lady Margaret Hall)

  • Will Cahill, 3 (Christ Church) 

  • Anders Weiss, 4 (St Hugh’s)

  • Will Geffen, 5 (Keble)

  • Benedict Aldous, 6 (Christ Church)

  • Claas Mertens, 7 (Christ Church)

  • Vassilis Ragoussis, stroke (Linacre)

  • Zachary Thomas, cox (Wolfson).

Boat Race - Credit: PA
Oxford University's men's blue boat coach Steve Bowden (centre) alongside cox Zachary Thomas Johnson, (left) and president Iain Mandale Credit: PA

Cambridge

  • Patrick Elwood, bow (Magdalene)

  • Charles Fisher, 2 (St John’s)

  • Dara Alizadeh, 3 (Hughes Hall)

  • James Letten, 4 (Hughes Hall)

  • Spencer Furey, 5 (Jesus)

  • Finn Meeks, 6 (Hughes Hall)

  • Rob Hurn, 7 (St Edmund's)

  • Freddie Davidson, stroke (Emmanuel)

  • Hugo Ramambason, cox (Trinity)

What is the weather forecast?

Inclement weather has caused havoc at the Boat Race over the decades, with boats sinking in 1951, 1978 and 1981.

Last year, the race threatened to be postponed when an un-exploded World War II bomb was discovered near the start-line. 

There are no such concerns for Saturday's event despite the recent 'Beast from the East', with a high temperature of a mild 9°C, light winds  and about a 10% chance of light rain. 

What are the odds?

  • Cambridge 4/9

  • Oxford 7/4

  • Draw 100/1