Women’s Veterans’ Race

Having won the coin toss, Oxford women’s veteran crew took the favoured Surrey station and Cambridge the Middlesex station. Whilst a clean race, it was a closely fought one with some exemplary blade work, power and rhythm showcased. 

As the returning 2025 champions, Oxford were looking to maintain the momentum of  their victory; whilst Cambridge boasted a crew containing recent (2020) Olympians Grace Prendergast and Olivia Coffey.

Given the forecast, conditions were surprisingly calm on start line. Racing on the incoming tide, the South-Westerly wind provided a helping tail wind for the Putney to Hammersmith course. A lucky escape for the women, given the later blustery winds and exceptionally bumpy water faced by the lightweight crews racing the full championship course.

Level off the start, Oxford rating 37 and Cambridge 40, Oxford gained a slight lead by the LRC flagpole as crowds on the embankment cheered them on. Approaching the Black Buoy, the crews were even. But putting in a push, Cambridge took two seats. Both crews rating 36, Cambridge extended their lead to 1 length at Barn Elms, Oxford just about maintaining contact. 

Unlike in the counterpart men’s race, conditions were kinder to the crews and their coxes, and both crews were able to keep a generous gap to avoid any prospect of a clash. As a result, no notable warnings were issued by umpire Judith Packer. 

At the Mile Post, stroke rates had settled to 34 and Cambridge were starting to tire from their early lead. Meanwhile Oxford maintained strong, clean blade work as they took advantage of their inside bend coming round towards Hammersmith. However, this push did not come soon enough and Cambridge sailed under Hammersmith Bridge, taking a 1 length victory in a winning time of 8 minutes and 38 seconds, with Oxford only a matter of seconds behind.

Men’s Veteran’s Race

In a more eventful race the men battled rougher conditions, and a dramatic, boat-stopping blade clash. Having considerably choppier condition to start in, umpire Kath Finucane got the crews off to a prompt start. Both crews put in a powerful start, rating high at 43, and settling at 36 by the LRC flagpole. Oxford, on the Middlesex station, took a half length lead along the Putney embankment. But taking no prisoners, Cambridge were only a fraction behind by the Black Buoy. 

Umpire Kath Finucane had cause to raise her warning flag multiple times (notably less than the 2025 race however) as rough conditions challenged highly experienced coxes Henry Fieldman and Erin Kennedy. Only 1 minute 53 seconds into the race, challenging conditions caused Cambridge to driftinto Oxford’s water resulting in a boat-stopping blade clash. Oxford gained an advantage and left Cambridge in their wake. Cambridge, having got their boat moving again, regained composure and started to claw back the time they’d lost. 

At the Mile Post Oxford was still leading by half a length, maintaining an ambitious stroke rate of 35.5, but showing signs of tiring. Cambridge, on the other hand, were looking considerably more composed on the approach to Harrod’s Wall. Capitalising on their bend advantage they managed to row through Oxford (the younger, heavier crew) in a matter of strokes. 

With both crews maintaining a stroke rate of 34 through Hammersmith Bridge, Cambridge had significantly extended their lead to a length and a half.

With a winning verdict of 1 length and three-quarters, Cambridge crossed the line in a time of 7 minutes and 56 seconds, with Oxford following 5 seconds behind. 

Times:

Women’s Vets

Milepost: Ox= 4-35.67 Cam= 4-29.37 (gap: 00-6.30)

Finish: Ox= 08-41.55  Cam= 08-37.97 (gap: 00-03.58)

(Furnival Steps)

Winner: CamMilepost: Cam=  03-53.82 Ox= 03-52.83 (gap: 00-00.99) (ox leading post-clash that happened at 01-53.00 into the race)