Words: Anna Rowbotham

A record winning margin of 19 lengths to the Cambridge Men’s Reserve Crew (Goldie) in tough conditions.

In the 61st Isis vs Goldie Men’s Reserve Race, the third race of the day, Oxford and Cambridge battled some of the toughest conditions the Tideway could offer. Cambridge won with a convincing 19 length verdict in a time of 18 minutes and 11 seconds – a record margin since men’s reserve races began in 1965. Both fielding exceptional strong crews, they showed-cased exceptional perseverance and skill. 

With a strong south-south-westerly wind forecasted, the weather gods provided an assisting tail-cross wind for the Putney to Hammersmith stretch, but switching to an ominous ‘wind against tide’ head wind for the middle and closing sections of the course.

Oxford, having won the coin toss, chose Surrey, leaving Cambridge with the less favoured Middlesex station.

In a dramatic opening to the race, crews battled it out for the optimal line down the Putney embankment. Umpire Kath Finucane warned Oxford twice passing the Duke’s Head. With the rivals remaining neck and neck by the London Rowing Club flagpole, both crews were warned, with Oxford warned a final time at Vesta before both crews finally moved apart, narrowly avoiding any clash.

Having been level at the Black Buoy, Cambridge started to inch ahead from Barn Elms, and approaching the Mile Post they had clear water. Passing the Mile Post, Cambridge had extended their lead to 2 lengths, with a margin of 6 seconds. This gap progressively lengthened as Cambridge took a comfortable lead, doubling the margin by Hammersmith bridge, with Oxford tucking in almost 4 lengths behind.

Progressively worsening conditions from the Eyot onwards, pushed both crews to their technical limit. Oxford were fighting valiantly but were forced to drop their rate to 32 as they forced their blades through the bumpy water. Rounding the bend to Barnes Bridge the crews had to move from their sheltered position on the inside of the bend to steer through the middle arch. The risk of swamping was high, and crews battled the white caps and spray to reach the finish line. A demonstration of true grit and skill from both crews. Cambridge finished 19 lengths ahead in a time of 18 minutes 11 seconds, a time reflective of the conditions. Oxford coming in second, having regained composure after the worst of the water, put in a final push and crossed the line in a time of 19 minutes and 8 seconds.