Cambridge ran out winners in the 77th Women’s Boat Race after dispatching with a spirited Oxford on the championship course.
Cambridge won the toss and choose Surrey, much to the delight of the thronged Cambridge fans clustered around the coin toss stand. President Caoimhe Dempsey, already a veteran of two successful Light Blue campaigns before today, remarked on how well the crew’s preparation had gone in the days leading up to the race and their superior poise and power was in evidence throughout.
Steered by former St Paul’s schoolboy and junior world silver medalist James Trotman, Cambridge got out cleanly but were led by Oxford as the crews moved past the Putney Embankment. The intensity and optimism of the crowd belied difficult conditions on the water; Oxford on Middlesex seemed to be getting the better of it in the opening exchanges but both boats bounced and bumped past Craven Cottage.
Trotman seemed unperturbed by his opponent’s early impetus, encouraging synchronicity for his crew, an approach that appeared to pay dividends as the Light Blues began to creep back into contention as Harrods Depository loomed into view. The first bend is estimated to be worth roughly a quarter of a length, an advantage that was quickly dissipating for Oxford as the river surged up and over the sax-board.
As Cambridge continued to move away approaching Hammersmith Bridge, Umpire Matt Smith choose to intervene for the first time, warning both crews to move apart. Trotman, buoyed by his previous tideway experience, cut across the Dark Blues right as Oxford’s bow surged back into touch with Cambridge’s stern but it was clear that Cambridge had control of proceedings as the boats passed underneath the dark green struts of Hammersmith Bridge.
The old adage goes that if a crew are ahead at Hammersmith Bridge, they generally go on to win the race and there was little indication of that trend bucking in 2023; Cambridge had drawn away to lead by two lengths passing St Paul’s School in calmer conditions that appeared to suit the more agricultural Light Blue style.
Tara Slade, cox of the Oxford crew, faced an unenviable task – to try and motivate her eight companions in a race that was all but run. The courageous opening salvo from the Dark Blues looked to have cost them as Cambridge continued to accelerate away, stretching to three lengths of clear water by Chiswick Eyot.
Little else of note materialised in the following minutes; Cambridge were able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, watching and responding to every Dark Blue move. Slade’s attempts at motivation echoed across a barren stretch of tidal Thames as Caoimhe Dempsey continued to lead her Cambridge counterparts to victory, the third such occasion for the talented Irish oarswoman and the sixth consecutive title for the Light Blues.
Barnes Bridge and the final twisting turn of the Thames unfolded in undramatic fashion. Serenity for Cambridge and solitude for Oxford in yet another strong showing for Paddy Ryan’s charges (a coach who only took the reigns of the squad in late 2021). Crossing the line, Chiswick Bridge acts as a magnifier for sporting emotion; the shrieks of joy for the Light Blues and the cries of pain for the Dark Blues echoing off the curved arches. A valiant display from Oxford but second is nowhere in The Boat Race – and the 77th title will rest in Cambridge hands.
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