12 April 2025

The Veteran Boat Race course runs from the University Boat Race Stone in Putney to Furnival steps in Hammersmith. As a shortened version of the Championship course, the races are often tight and make for an exciting prequel to the traditional men’s and women’s Boat Races the following day. The crews showcase a wealth of experience ranging from Boat Race champions to former international and Olympic athletes, with a qualifying average age of 42.

Women’s Race

Oxford, Winners of the 4th Oxford and Cambridge Women’s Veterans’ Race, 12th April 2025

Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey.  Following 2024’s nail-biting dead heat, this year’s race had a lot riding on it – particularly with the potential record-breaking conditions. Blessed with flat water, sunshine, and a light tail wind, the crews took to the water.

Stroke Lebby Eyres led the charge for Oxford, who won the coin toss and chose the Surrey station. Cambridge took to the Middlesex station, giving them the advantage round the first bend. This year’s Cambridge crew included former Olympian Sarah Winckless, doubling up as this year’s chief umpire for the men’s Boat Race. Presiding over proceedings was World Rowing umpire Judith Packer, hoping for a clean race.

The race started neck and neck, with Oxford starting to inch ahead at the LRC flagpole thanks to a formidable rhythm. Taking half a length by the Black Buoy, Oxford continued to extend their lead. Cambridge remained relaxed yet resolute; but by Barn Elms Oxford broke free and took clear water. At the traditional marker point, the Mile Post, Oxford had extended the lead to an impressive 3 lengths. On the approach to Hammersmith Bridge, with the finish almost in sight, Oxford cox Rose Copus took a cheeky look back at the opposition. Finishing with a 4 length lead, Oxford took the victory over a highly respectable Cambridge crew.

In what turned out to be the only dark blue win of the weekend, Oxford women celebrated a record time, bringing the total number of wins to date narrowly in Oxford’s favour.

Men’s Race

Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex. In what can only be described as a testing race for the umpire – with multiple warnings, a significant blade clash and a contested finish – the men’s race was never short of drama. A game of cat and mouse, both crews were repeatedly warned in what was the tightest race of the day. Ultimately, thanks to a disqualification in their favour, Cambridge lifted the trophy.

Oxford and Cambridge clash blades in the 28th Oxford and Cambridge Men’s Veteran Race, 12th April 2025

Cambridge, coxed by the GB Olympian Henry Fieldman, were out to overturn Oxford’s narrow victory from 2024. Following a tidy start, Oxford were up a canvas by the LRC flagpole, but crews were neck and neck along the remainder of the Putney embankment. Passing the Black Buoy, Cambridge took their turn to inch ahead. As the race unfolded the crews remained close and took on significant risk, with their tight steering attracting multiple warnings for most of the course.

By Barn Elms Cambridge had taken 4 seats, but received a warning for pressuring Oxford into the inside of the bend. Cambridge responded by moving back to their Middlesex station. However – in the defining moment of the race – Oxford followed their opponents across, resulting in a warning that went unheeded. A clash ensued, with Oxford’s bow significantly fouling Cambridge’s stroke blade, the umpire allowing the race to continue however.

Rounding the bend, the gap narrowed and by the Harrods wall the crews were even. The race remained tight on the approach to Hammersmith Bridge. Cambridge received numerous warnings for attempting to push the race to Surrey side. Oxford crossed the line a third of a length ahead, however their fate was already sealed. Ultimately, Cambridge were recorded as the winners, with umpire Caroline Lytton taking the decision to disqualify Oxford owing to their earlier foul.

RESULTS

Women’s Veteran Boat Race: Oxford beat Cambridge by 4 lengths.
Milepost: Oxford 4-11, Cambridge 4-17
Finish: Oxford 8-11, Cambridge 8-25.

Men’s Veteran Boat Race: Cambridge recorded as the winners, Oxford disqualified.
Milepost: Cambridge 3-57, Oxford 3-58
**Finish: Oxford 7-35, Cambridge 7-37.

Times rounded to the nearest second, as is traditional.

Author and timekeeper: Anna Robotham

Race photographer: Paul Azzopardi, BigBlade