The Veterans Race is this afternoon (Friday 6 April) starting at 2.45pm. Here are the crew lists with some detail about the runners and riders:

Cambridge – Champions

Bow Neil West

2 Peter Jacobs

3 Peter Summers

4 Iain Pritchard

5 Guy Pooley

6 David Gillard

7 Johnny Moulsdale

Stroke Sean Gorvy

Cox Christian Cormack

Coaches Henry Fieldman, Richard Phelps

Average age: 46

Average weight: 13st 2lb.

Oxford – Challengers

Bow Duncan Spencer

2 Mark Henstridge

3 Miles Duncan

4 John Yeatman

5 Hugh Pelham

6 CD Riches

7 Rob Clay

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Stroke Nick Holland

Cox Nicola Walther

Coach Daniel Topolski

Average age: 48½

Average weight: 13st 12lb

Who are they?

This is the twelfth Veterans’ Boat Race. Duncan Spencer returns to become, at 66, the oldest competitor. Stephen Plunckett of Oxford once weighed in at a svelte 18st 12lb, and Guy Pooley of Cambridge is still the tallest at 6ft 8ins.

Cambridge’s time of 7min 30s last year just beats the Oxford time set in the first race (1996). However, their 7min 31s was from a stake-boat start.

Jerry Dale is unable to row as he was knocked off his bike and broke a hip on Tuesday. We wish him a complete and speedy recovery. John Yeatman valiantly steps in.

Neil West won a 2002 Commonwealth Gold Medal in the L4x at the age of 40.

For the past four years the Cambridge selectors have operated a proactive ABS policy (Anyone But Spuddo). Nevertheless, Peter Summers will have rowed in all twelve races.

There is a tedious familiarity to the Cambridge crew, with just one change from last year. David Gillard replaces Stephen Peel, who one hears has been exiled to Siberia.

David Gillard organised the race this year. Jerry Dale convened the Oxford crew, assisted by Nick Holland.

Previous Years Of the eleven races Oxford have won 5 and Cambridge 6.

2003 Oxford chose Middlesex in rough conditions. Both crews had untidy starts, but Oxford recovered better and led by ½ length at the Black Buoy. Cambridge struggled to hold on round the bend, but Oxford’s power told in the headwind and they won by 2 lengths in 8m 14s.

2004 Oxford chose Middlesex on a high but sluggish tide. Cambridge settled to a slightly higher rate and held a ½ length lead around the Fulham bend. A push at the end of the Wall gave Cambridge clear water, and they went on to win in 8m 08s by 2½ lengths.

2005 Cambridge chose Surrey in a mild headwind. For the first time the race was started without stake-boats. Both crews were warned after a minute, but Cambridge’s early lead was not affected. They had clear water by the Black Buoy, a 6s lead at the Mile and won by 3½ lengths in a fast 7m 44s.

2006 Oxford chose Surrey on a strong tide with a brisk SE wind. When half a length up at Barn Elms, Cambridge’s Andrew Probert was slow to respond to a warning and had the Umpire reaching for his red flag as the crews clashed. Luckily there was no impediment but Cambridge had lost much of the advantage from the Fulham turn. Despite this they drew steadily ahead, leading by 4s at the Mile and 7s at the finish. Time, a record 7m 30s.