The Cambridge Blue Boat crew have weighed in lighter than the Oxford crew but are confident after an excellent run-in to the 155th Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

Oxford weighed in at the annual pre-Race event at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham at an average weight of 15st 9lb, three pounds a man heavier than the Race’s previous record.

On paper Oxford’s weight makes them likely favourites to prevail, but the Cambridge crew are no lightweights either at an average of 15st 1lb, and they have shown breathtaking form.

Having dispensed with Oxford crews easily in the Fours Head last December and come through some challenging pre-Race fixtures against Leander and a stellar Tideway Scullers crew of Olympians, Cambridge believe their greater Boat Race experience – five are returning Blues while  seven of the Oxford crew are only on one-year courses of study – and their crew spirit will be key.

Cambridge coach Chris Nilsson said: “Some pundits say the heavier crew wins but we don't take that into account. We row well and our spirit has been second to none.

“Our Boat Race experience is a big plus. It rubs off on the new guys. We have a brilliant team spirit and we'll row better than Oxford.”

One of Cambridge's many strengths will be superb cox Rebecca Dowbiggin (pictured) who will be steering her third consecutive Boat Race

Meanwhile it has been announced that live television coverage of the Boat Race will return to the BBC in 2010 after a six year absence.

A new five-year deal means that the BBC will broadcast the event on television and radio as well as the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and BBC World.

This year's Boat Race, which will be shown live on ITV, takes place on Sunday 29 March starting at 3.40pm. Coverage will begin at 2.20pm.

 

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