Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race First Held In 1829

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28234, 23 March 1957, Page 5

Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race First Held In 1829

rpHE annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities will take place on March 30. and will no doubt raise, again, intense world-wide interest. The first university boat race was the result of a challenge offered by Christ College, Oxford, to St. John's College, Cambridge. This race was rowed at Henley-on-Thames in 1829, when 20,000 spectators lined the banks of the Thames to acclaim victory for Oxford. In 1845, the boat race was moved to the Putney to Mortlake course, where it has been rowed ever since. The course is four-and-a-half miles long, with two 90 degree bends. The modern slld-

ing seat was first introduced into the race in 1873. Partisan feeling runs very high at this annual occasion, even among those who can claim no relationship to the universities, who live nowhere near the river, and are not usually interested in sport. An indication of the widespread interest taken in the event is seen from the fact that the 8.8.C.’s running commentary on the race is relayed “live” to every English-speaking country in the world, and that recordings are broadcast in more than 40 foreign languages. In addition, the match is fully covered by television. On the day of the race street traders do brisk business in selling rosettes in the colours of the competitors—dark blue and light blue. Thousands of cheering spectators line both banks of the river, and parties in launches follow the competitors for the length of the race. After the race, undergraduates make merry in both university cities and the capital, and Boat Race night in London is a wild one for the students.