The Boat Race 2018 - as it happened: Cambridge claim clean sweep across men and women's races

Re-live all the action from Saturday's races

Oxford v Cambridge: The Boat Race in numbers

Oxford and Cambridge universities go toe to toe and oar to oar this weekend in the men and women’s annual Boat Race.

All eyes will be on the River Thames once again as the Light Blues look to seek revenge for last year’s defeat and overturn their rivals’ recent dominance. Oxford have won four of the past five men’s races and are close to catching Cambridge in the overall standings (82-80).

In the women’s event, Cambridge won in record time last year after Oxford’s poor start to extend their head-to-head lead to 42-30.

More than 250,000 people are expected to take to the banks of the River Thames to watch the two teams compete - making this one of the biggest spectator events of the British sporting calendar.

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When is it?

The 164th Boat Race takes place on Saturday 24 March.

What time do the races start?

The women's race gets under way at 4.31pm while the men's race starts just over an hour later at 5.32pm.

Oxford claimed victory in last year's race (Getty)

Where can I watch the Boat Race?

BBC 1 will be broadcasting both events. Live coverage starts at 3.50pm on the day.

Odds:

Oxford: 81/50

Cambridge: 2/5

Dead heat: 50/1

Key Points

• Cambridge win the women's race in 19:10 mins
• Cambridge win the men's race in 17:50 mins
• Overall standings: Cambridge Men 83-80 Oxford Men; Cambridge Women 43-30 Oxford Women

[24 March 2018 16:32 · Samuel Lovett]

Coming up to one minute and Cambridge are already edging out in front. Mind you, there was no repeat of that disappointing start from Oxford as with last year...

[24 March 2018 16:33 · Samuel Lovett]

Cambridge nearly half a length in front. Up to 1.30 minutes.

[24 March 2018 16:35 · Samuel Lovett]

Cambridge are looking mightily impressive. An older and more experience crew, they've got too much for their Oxford rivals who are doing everything they can to keep the race alive. We're past Craven Cottage now, with four minutes gone on the clock, and Cambridge are already one length ahead.

[24 March 2018 16:37 · Samuel Lovett]

Strokes per minute, according to the BBC: Cambridge on 44, Oxford on 40. Cambridge have got this one in the bag.

[24 March 2018 16:39 · Samuel Lovett]

Just coming under Hammersmith bridge now, with Cambridge's lead holding firm. Interestingly, fans used to be banned from standing on the bridge for the race but officials have since let them back on.

[24 March 2018 16:42 · Samuel Lovett]

Up to 10 minutes and Cambridge's dominance is seeing them pull further ahead. As we navigate the Barnes bend Oxford are now at least four lengths behind their rivals.

[24 March 2018 16:45 · Samuel Lovett]

Cambridge are passing the Chiswick Steps now. Given the benign weather conditions, they'll fancy their chances of pushing for the record time. They've moved directly in front of the Oxford boat now, with the 'dirty way' they're generating making matters even harder for their rivals.

[24 March 2018 16:50 · Samuel Lovett]

We're coming up to the 17-minute mark, with Cambridge leading by about 11 lengths. It's only a matter of time now. Oxford will be looking to give it their all still. As a young and relatively inexperienced crew, they've got a lot to learn and today's experience will hopefully teach them some lessons as they attempt to break Cambridge's recent dominance in the women's race.

[24 March 2018 16:50 · Samuel Lovett]

Here, we go, Cambridge are coming up to the finish line now...

[24 March 2018 16:51 · Samuel Lovett]

And that's that, Cambridge women have won the 2018 Boat Race in comprehensive fashion! A deserved victory!