Boat Race 2025 LIVE: Cambridge crush Oxford to extend dominance after controversial build-up
Cambridge extended their dominance with a massive victory over Oxford in the men’s race to complete the double
Cambridge celebrated more success over Oxford in the Boat Race by defending their titles in both the men’s and the women’s events.
The Light Blues did the double on the River Thames to extend their dominance, with the men’s crew winning the last three races in a row and the women’s crew unbeaten in the last eight.
There was drama in the women’s race following an early clash which forced the umpire, Sir Matthew Pinsent, to restart the contest. Once resumed, Cambridge won by a comfortable margin.
And there was the same result in the men’s race as Cambridge opened up a sizable lead over Oxford and blew their rivals out of the water over the second half to taste victory for the seventh time in the last nine years.
The build up to this year’s race was surrounded by controversy, with a prolonged row over eligibility rules dominating the headlines after Olympian Tom Ford was banned from taking part for Cambridge.
But it made little difference as Cambridge won again. Follow all the reaction from the Boat Race with our live blog below:
Men's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
The controversy surrounding this year’s Boat Race has centred around eligibility after Olympic champion Tom Ford was banned from taking part as part of the Cambridge crew.
Ford was banned following a crackdown on elite-level ‘ringers’ entering the Boat Race in the wake of double-Olympic champion James Cracknell competing, and winning, the race in 2019 – 13 years after his competitive retirement.
Following Cracknell’s appearance in the race, the rules were changed in 2021 to prevent anyone competing more than 12 years after beginning an undergraduate degree course. Ford matriculated in 2011.
Men's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
So Cambridge have the upper hand with victory in the women’s race. Can they complete another double in the men’s race?
Cambridge have won in the last two years - and six of the last eight - and are favourites to retain their title again on the Thames.
Oxford Men won the toss and selected Surrey.
'The better crew, the faster crew, won'
Here’s umpire Sir Matthew Pinsent on the restart and whether the right decision was made...
“There was a clash between the crews that stopped the race. To my mind, I was warning Oxford. The clash was heavy enough to stop the race.
“At that moment there are a range of options. You could disqualify them straight away. That did pop into my mind but you can also see, after the restart, if it affected the outcome of the race. I’m convinced the better crew, the faster crew, won.”
Tears in the Cambridge boat
There are tears and hugs in the Cambridge boat. There will no jumping into the water at Mortlake, though. Better get onto some dry land...
Cambridge win the Women's Boat Race
It’s Cambridge - the winning time is 19:25, which is not the record that a few thought Cambridge had within them pre-race.
There was a clear margin between the crews at the finish line.
Cambridge win the Women's Boat Race
EIGHT in a row for Cambridge in the Women’s Boat Race. It’s a big victory of the light Blues, who showed their dominance after some early drama when the boats clashed oars. Cambridge opened up their lead once the race was restarted and this is a huge margin of victory. The pain of defeat is a familiar one for Oxford, who remain without a win in this race since their last victory in 2016.
Women's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
Passing Barnes Bridge now and Cambridge are still looking comfortable. The pre-race favourites will be extending their winning streak in the Women’s Boat Race.
Women's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
The next landmark the crews will pass is the Chiswick Steps and Cambridge have pulled into a greater lead. We’ve passed the halfway mark and already it feels as if the clash of oars early on and Oxford’s aggressive start out of the blocks will be the talking point.
Women's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
There’s a clear gap between leaders Cambridge and Oxford, and the gap is growing as we approach the nine-minute mark.
Women's Boat Race: Oxford vs Cambridge
Cambridge have pulled a length ahead as the crews approach the Hammersmith Bridge.
Cambridge have received a couple of white flags after drifting across the middle line.
But they have been able to get into a comfortable rhythm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments