The idea for a rowing race between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge came from two friends - Charles Merivale, a student at Cambridge, and his Harrow school friend Charles Wordsworth (nephew of the poet William Wordsworth), who was at Oxford.
On 12 March 1829, Cambridge sent a challenge to Oxford and thus the tradition was born which has continued to the present day, where loser of the previous years' race challenges the opposition to a re-match. Oxford team is commonly known as Dark Blue where Cambridge's has a nick name of Light Blue.
The Modern Boat Race still runs along the same lines but has now become a major international sporting occasion drawing millions of viewers from around the world. On Race Day up to 250,000 spectator crowd the banks of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake to witness the action. My brothers and I was one of them who were watching by the Thames last year. This year BBC has made the race available via a live webcast throught it's web.
Oxford whom has won 8 out of 12 race since the turn of the century, yesterday, crossed the finish line by 4 lengths defeating Cambridge which has won the 2010 Race. Cambridge currently lead the series since 1829 by 80-76.
2011's Race Time, Oxford 17:32; Cambridge 17:44.
Oxford lifting the 2011 trophy and celebrating
Oxford joyously celebrating the victory while Cambridge
is still 4 lengths behind the finish line
Cambridge girls =)
Oxfords
1st quarter of the race
ps: dont get me wrong.i just find joy in watching the race.nothing else
