A peak of 7.6 million viewers watched Oxford win the 154th Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging, live on ITV1 last Saturday. The figure makes it the most watched Race since ITV began broadcasting the event in 2005.

An average of 4.4 million watched ITV’s entire coverage from 4.00pm to 6.00pm, presented by Craig Doyle. Oxford won in 20 minutes and 53 seconds – the slowest time since 1947 – six lengths ahead of Cambridge.

“We are very pleased with the figures,” said Giles Vardey, Chairman of BRCL, the Race organisers. “They show that the Race is still a very big draw to millions of people who appreciate sport at its purest and its best. That’s what we provide, combined with ITV’s high quality coverage.’

In spite of the weather, thousands of spectators headed for the banks of the Thames to watch the Race and encourage their favourite crew to the finish line first.