WHO WILL TIP THE SCALES THIS YEAR?

Xchanging, sponsors of the 152nd Boat Race, and BRCL, organisers of The Race on behalf of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, are pleased to invite you to the 2006 crew weigh-in. The details of this traditional event are as follows:

Date: Thursday 30 March, 2006

Location: The Hurlingham Club*, Ranelagh Gdns, London SW6 (media only please).

09.30 - arrival and coffee 10.00 - weigh-in 10.45 - 12.00 - interviews and photography

Oxford weighed in as the heaviest crew of all time in 2005 and went on to win The Boat Race.

So, who will come out psychologically on top of this year’s visit to the scales? The folklore of The Boat Race suggests that the heavier crew traditionally has an edge.

Yet Cambridge were a stone a man heavier than Oxford in 2003 - a Boat Race which Oxford won by just one foot in the closest and most exciting finish of all-time.

This year’s Oxford crew will feature Bastien Ripoll, who until recently was thought to be the first Frenchman to row in The Race - although records for Cambridge in 1849 are currently being checked as there may have been a Frenchman in this crew.

Cambridge will not only field several German world and international medallists but also Olympic gold medallist Kieran West who returns to the Light Blues after a gap of five years.

Both crews and their coaches will be available for film, interview and photo opportunities on 30th March.

The 2006 Boat Race is on Sunday 2 April at 4.35 (Isis v Goldie 30 minutes before). Cambridge lead the series by 78-72 since 1829.