Winner Oxford Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford) 69–64 Women's winner Oxford Date 2 April 1988 | Margin of victory 5 and 1/2 lengths Reserve winner Goldie Winning time 18 minutes 0 seconds People also search for The Boat Race 1910 | |
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Umpire Mike Sweeney
(Cambridge) Location The Championship Course, London Other Instances The Boat Races 2016, The Boat Races 2015, The Boat Race 2014, The Boat Race 2012, The Boat Race 2011 | ||
The 134th Boat Race took place on 2 April 1988. Held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Oxford won by five-and-a-half lengths in a time of 18 minutes 27 seconds, the equal-fourth fastest time in the event's history. The race was umpired by former Cambridge rowing Blue Mike Sweeney.
Contents
In the reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie won, while Oxford won the Women's Boat Race.
Background
The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). First held in 1829, the race takes place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London. The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities and followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1987 race by four lengths, with Cambridge leading overall with 69 victories to Oxford's 64 (excluding the "dead heat" of 1877). The event was sponsored by Beefeater Gin and was televised in the United Kingdom by the BBC on its Grandstand sports programme.
The first Women's Boat Race took place in 1927, but did not become an annual fixture until the 1960s. Until 2014, the contest was conducted as part of the Henley Boat Races, but as of the 2015 race, it is held on the River Thames, on the same day as the men's main and reserve races. The reserve race, contested between Oxford's Isis boat and Cambridge's Goldie boat has been held since 1965. It usually takes place on the Tideway, prior to the main Boat Race.
Crews
Oxford weighed in with the heaviest crew in Boat Race history – on average the rowers weighed 14 st 11.5 lb (93.9 kg), 11 lb more per man than Cambridge. Oxford's Gavin Stewart, at 6 ft 8.5 in (2.04 m) was the tallest rower in the history of the Boat Race. Cambridge's crew included four former Blues while Oxford's featured six. Oxford's coaching team included Canadian international coach Mike Spracklen.
Race
The race took place on 2 April 1988. Oxford started as pre-race favourites, and having won the toss, elected to start from the Surrey station. Immediately from the start, the umpire was called into action, warning both coxes for steering too closely to one another. Cambridge took a slight lead but Oxford soon recovered to become level, and by the Mile Post were three seconds ahead. Shortly after, the Cambridge number 7, Nick Grundy caught a crab, causing his boat to "shudder to a halt." Oxford slowly extended their lead; nine seconds ahead at Hammersmith Bridge, eleven seconds by the Chiswick Steps and fifteen by Barnes Bridge. Oxford passed the finishing post 16 seconds ahead of Cambridge, winning by five-and-a-half lengths in a time of 18 minutes 27 seconds, the equal-fourth fastest time in the event's history.
In the reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie won by five-and-a-half lengths in a time of 17 minutes and 55 seconds, their second consecutive victory. Oxford won the 43rd Women's Boat Race with their third victory in four years.
Reaction
The Beefeater Gin Trophy was presented by Denis Thatcher. Grundy said of his crab: "I feathered my oar after a stroke and the tip caught the water, which plunged it back in." Oxford Boat Club president Chris Penny said "It was not an easy race but it was enjoyable. We kept our heads, found our rhythm and moved back and through them."