ROWING - 2011 Xchanging Boat Race Report
Saturday 26 March 2011
Lighter and less experienced, Oxford nevertheless cruised home in a time of 17 minutes 32 seconds to win by four lengths over Cambridge, who were 12 seconds adrift at the finish.
Oxford won the toss and chose the Surrey side of the river, giving them the inside advantage of the big bend in the middle of the course.
They made the most of that advantage, putting in a big push just before Hammersmith Bridge to extend their lead of two-thirds of a length to two lengths by Chiswick Steps.
Oxford had looked awkward in the build-up to the race, while Cambridge appeared superior technically, leading bookmakers to make the Light Blues 2-1 on favourites.
But on race day, the Dark Blues found a relaxed rhythm that proved far more effective.
