The Boat Races 2016
{{Short description|2016 boat races between Oxford and Cambridge universities}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox University Boat Races
| name = The Boat Races 2016
| image = Boat Race 2016 - Men's Trophy (01).jpg
| caption = Men's race winner's trophy
| winner = Cambridge
| margin = {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths
| winning_time = 18 minutes 38 seconds
| overall = 82–79
| umpire = Simon Harris
| date = {{Start date|2016|03|27|df=y}}
| womens_winner = Oxford
| womens_margin = 24 lengths
| womens_winning_time = 21 minutes 49 seconds
| womens_overall = 41–30
| womens_umpire = Rob Clegg
| womens_reserve_winner = Blondie
| reserve_winner = Isis
| prevseason = 2015
| nextseason = 2017
}}
The 2016 Boat Races (also known as The Cancer Research UK Boat Races for the purposes of sponsorship) took place on 27 March 2016. Held annually, The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge along a {{convert|4.2|mi|km|adj=on}} tidal stretch of the River Thames in south-west London. For the first time in the history of the event, the men's, women's and both reserves' races were all held on the Tideway on the same day.
Trials for the race took place on the Championship Course in December 2015, and the selected crews took part in several practice races in the build-up to the main event. The weigh-in for the men's and women's races took place on 1 March 2016 with both Cambridge's men and women the heavier crews. Pre-race betting on the men's and women's event had Cambridge's men and Oxford's women as favourites to win.
In the men's reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie were beaten by Oxford's Isis by two lengths, their sixth consecutive defeat. In the women's reserve race, Cambridge's Blondie defeated Oxford's Osiris by three lengths, their first victory since the 2011 race. In the women's race, Oxford won easily as Cambridge nearly sank in rough conditions. It was Oxford's fourth consecutive win, and their eighth in nine races. The men's race was won by Cambridge by two and a half lengths, their first victory since the 2012 race, taking the overall record in the event to 82–79 in their favour.
Background
File:University Boat Race Thames map.svg along which, for the first time in the history of the event, the men's, women's and both reserves' races were conducted on the same day.]]
The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues"){{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/06/theobserver |work=The Observer |title=Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight |date=6 April 2003 |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911000610/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/06/theobserver |archive-date=11 September 2014 }} and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). First held in 1829, the race takes place on the {{convert|4.2|mi|km|adj=on}} Championship Course, between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in south-west London.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/10719622/University-Boat-Race-2014-spectators-guide.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=9 July 2014 |date=25 March 2014 |title=University Boat Race 2014: spectators' guide |first=Oliver |last=Smith |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701231555/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/10719622/University-Boat-Race-2014-spectators-guide.html |archive-date= 1 July 2014 }} The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities; it is followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide.{{cite news|title=Former Winnipegger in winning Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race crew |date=6 April 2014 |publisher=CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/former-winnipegger-in-winning-oxford-cambridge-boat-race-crew-1.2600176 |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924083331/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/former-winnipegger-in-winning-oxford-cambridge-boat-race-crew-1.2600176 |archive-date=24 September 2014 }}{{cite web | url = http://theboatrace.org/men/tv-and-radio| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123036/http://theboatrace.org/men/tv-and-radio | archive-date= 6 October 2014 | title = TV and radio | publisher = The Boat Race Company Limited | access-date = 7 July 2014}} Oxford went into the 2016 race as champions, having won the 2015 race by a margin of six lengths,{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/results |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=Boat Race – Results |access-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712214951/http://theboatraces.org/results |archive-date=12 July 2016 }} but Cambridge led overall with 81 victories to Oxford's 79 (excluding the 1877 race, officially a dead heat though claimed as a victory by the Oxford crew).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rowing/26869789 |title=Boat Race 2014: Oxford emphatically beat Cambridge |date=6 April 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Marc |last=Higginson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324192752/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rowing/26869789 |archive-date=24 March 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/classic-moments-the-1877-dead-heat |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=Classic moments – the 1877 dead heat |access-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026233428/http://theboatraces.org/classic-moments-the-1877-dead-heat |archive-date=26 October 2014 }}
It was the first time in the history of The Boat Race that all four senior races – the men's, women's, men's reserves' and women's reserves' – were held on the same day and on the same course along the Tideway. Prior to 2015, the women's race, which first took place in 1927, was usually held at the Henley Boat Races along the {{convert|2000|m|yd|adj=on}} course; on at least two occasions in the interwar period, the women competed on the Thames between Chiswick and Kew. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 2015 race by six and a half lengths, with Cambridge leading 41–29 overall. For the fourth year, the men's race was sponsored by BNY Mellon while the women's race was sponsored by BNY Mellon's subsidiary, Newton Investment Management.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/rowing/9068436/Boat-Race-becomes-the-Boat-Races-as-women-and-mens-university-events-are-combined-for-2015.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Rachel |last=Quarrell |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=16 December 2014 |title=Boat Race becomes 'the Boat Races' as women and men's university events are combined for 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216201416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/rowing/9068436/Boat-Race-becomes-the-Boat-Races-as-women-and-mens-university-events-are-combined-for-2015.html |archive-date=16 December 2014 }} In January 2016, it was announced that the sponsors would donate the title sponsorship to Cancer Research UK and that the event was to be retitled "The Cancer Research UK Boat Races".{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/246/the-boat-races-sponsors-bny-mellon-amp-amp-newton-pull-together-for-cancer-research-uk |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |access-date=5 February 2016 |date=19 January 2016 |title=The Boat Races sponsors BNY Mellon & Newton pull together for Cancer Research UK |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131205740/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/246/the-boat-races-sponsors-bny-mellon-amp-amp-newton-pull-together-for-cancer-research-uk |archive-date=31 January 2016 }} There is no monetary award for winning the race, as the journalist Roger Alton notes: "It's the last great amateur event: seven months of pain for no prize money".{{Cite web | work = The Spectator | first = Roger | last = Alton |author-link=Roger Alton| date = 6 April 2013 | access-date = 26 July 2016 |title = The great tradition of Boat Race swearing| url = http://www.spectator.co.uk/2013/04/a-grand-tradition-of-boat-race-swearing/}}
On Sunday 27 March, the women's race started at 3:10 p.m. British Summer Time, the women's reserve race (between Oxford's Osiris and Cambridge's Blondie) at 3:25 p.m., the men's reserves' race (between Oxford's Isis and Cambridge's Goldie) fifteen minutes later and the men's race a further half-hour after that at 4:10 pm.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/222/2016-bny-mellon-boat-races-timings |title=2016 BNY Mellon Boat Races timings |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126070703/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/222/2016-bny-mellon-boat-races-timings |archive-date=26 November 2015 }} The men's race was umpired for the fifth time by Simon Harris, who had overseen the inaugural Tideway running of the Women's Boat Race in 2015. He rowed for Cambridge in the 1982 and 1983 races and was most recently umpire for the men's race in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/248/umpires-selected-for-2016-races |title=Umpires selected for 2016 races |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |date=29 January 2016 |access-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206222620/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/248/umpires-selected-for-2016-races |archive-date= 6 February 2016 }} Rob Clegg, umpire for the 2011 race and three-time Oxford Blue, took charge of the women's race. The men's and women's reserves' races were umpired by Sarah Winckless and Judith Packer respectively, Winckless becoming the first ever female official of a men's race.{{Cite news|title=Officials keep a wary eye on the sky |first=Rachel |last=Quarrell |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 March 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/25/boat-race-officials-keep-a-wary-eye-on-the-sky/ |access-date=21 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010195801/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/25/boat-race-officials-keep-a-wary-eye-on-the-sky/ |archive-date=10 October 2016 }}
Although around 250,000 spectators were expected to line the banks of the river, engineering works and poor weather reduced the attendance.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ybw.com/racing-events/guide-to-the-2016-boat-races-17887 |work=Yachting and Boating World |title=Guide to the 2016 Boat Races: who won and who sank (nearly) |first=Jamey |last=Bergman |date=29 March 2016 |access-date=26 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516180914/http://www.ybw.com/racing-events/guide-to-the-2016-boat-races-17887 |archive-date=16 May 2016 }} The event was broadcast live in the United Kingdom on the BBC. Numerous broadcasters worldwide also showed the main races, including SuperSport across Africa, the EBU across Europe, SKY México across Central America, TSN in Canada and Fox Sports in Australia. It was also streamed live on BBC Online.{{Cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/tv-and-radio |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |access-date=26 July 2016 |title=TV and radio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808043710/http://theboatraces.org/tv-and-radio |archive-date= 8 August 2016 }}
Coaches
File:Steve Trapmore CUBC (02).jpg
The Cambridge men's crew coaching team was led by their Chief Coach Steve Trapmore.{{cite web | url = http://www.cubc.org.uk/cubc-coaching-and-support-team/ | publisher = Cambridge University Boat Club | title = The Team| access-date = 26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127054724/http://www.cubc.org.uk/cubc-coaching-and-support-team/|archive-date=27 November 2015}} Trapmore, a gold medal-winning member of the men's eight at the 2000 Summer Olympics, was appointed to the post in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/tr/steve-trapmore-1.html |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=26 November 2015 |title=Steve Trapmore Bio, Stats, and Results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204024743/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/tr/steve-trapmore-1.html |archive-date= 4 December 2016 }} He was assisted by Ed Green, the former head coach at University College Cork and development coach at Molesey Boat Club. Donald Legget, who rowed for the Light Blues in the 1963 and 1964 races acted as a supporting coach, along with coxing coach Henry Fieldman (who steered Cambridge in the 2013 race) and the medical officer Simon Owens. Sean Bowden was Chief Coach for Oxford, having been responsible for the senior men's crew since 1997, winning 11 from 16 races. He was a former Great Britain Olympic coach and coached the Light Blues in the 1993 and 1994 Boat Races. His assistant coach was Andy Nelder who has coached the senior boat since 2006.{{cite web | url = http://www.oubc.org.uk/staff | publisher = Oxford University Boat Club | title = Staff – OUBC | access-date = 26 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160331051438/http://oubc.org.uk/staff | archive-date=31 March 2016}}
OUWBC's head coach was Christine Wilson who had been appointed in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/othersport/9902781.ROWING__Wilson_lands_head_coach_role/ |work=Oxford Mail |title=Rowing: Wilson lands head coach role |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=13 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701040640/http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/othersport/9902781.ROWING__Wilson_lands_head_coach_role/ |archive-date= 1 July 2016 }}{{cite web | url = http://ouwbc.org/coaching-team |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321122342/http://ouwbc.org/coaching-team | archive-date = 21 March 2016| publisher = Oxford University Women's Boat Club | title = Coaching Team | access-date = 13 April 2016}} She was advised by former Dark Blue Neil Chugani, winning cox in the 1991 race. Cambridge's women were coached by former Goldie coach Rob Baker who was assisted by Paddy Ryan and Nick Acock, along with guest coach Jonathan Conder.{{cite web |url = http://cuwbc.org.uk/team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421084856/http://cuwbc.org.uk/team| archive-date=21 April 2016| title = Coaches and support staff | publisher = Cambridge University Women's Boat Club | access-date = 13 April 2016}}
Trials
Dates for the trials, where crews are able to simulate the race proper on the Championship Course, were announced in November 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/235/trial-eights-dates-are-confirmed |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=Trial Eights dates are confirmed |access-date=15 August 2016 |date=12 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913152233/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/235/trial-eights-dates-are-confirmed |archive-date=13 September 2016 }}
=Women's=
The women's trials took place on The Championship Course on 10 December 2015. The race between the Oxford boats, Scylla and Charybdis was umpired by Rob Clegg and was described as "phenomenal".{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/241/ouwbc-trial-eights |access-date=18 December 2015 |date=10 December 2015 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=OUWBC Trial Eights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144848/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/241/ouwbc-trial-eights |archive-date=22 December 2015 }} After an even start, Scylla held a one-length lead by Craven Cottage, extending it to two lengths by Hammersmith Bridge. A strong head wind caused rough water, and conditions worsened past Chiswick Eyot.{{Cite web|url=http://ouwbc.org/article/33/trial-eights-2015 |publisher=Oxford University Women's Boat Club |title=Trial Eights 2015 |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=4 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725212610/http://ouwbc.org/article/33/trial-eights-2015 |archive-date=25 July 2016 }} Charybdis, stroked by OUWBC president Maddy Badcott, began to close the gap and took the lead around the second of the Surrey bends, to win the encounter by three lengths.
CUWBC's trial, Twickenham racing against Tideway, took place in rough water and windy conditions.{{cite web
|url = http://theboatraces.org/news-article/240/cuwbc-trial-eights
|access-date = 18 December 2015
|date = 10 December 2015
|publisher = The Boat Race Company Limited
|title = CUWBC Trial Eights
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152400/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/240/cuwbc-trial-eights
|archive-date = 22 December 2015
}} The race was also umpired by Rob Clegg with both boats getting away together. Twickenham took an early lead, and following a steering error in which Tideway struck a buoy before Hammersmith Bridge, Twickenham were {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths ahead by Chiswick Eyot and pulled away to win by four lengths.
=Men's=
The men's trials were conducted three days after the women's, on 13 December, also along The Championship Course.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/235/trial-eights-dates-are-confirmed |title=Trial Eights dates are confirmed |access-date=26 November 2015 |date=12 November 2015 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127051334/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/235/trial-eights-dates-are-confirmed |archive-date=27 November 2015 }} The Dark Blues, rowing in Business and Pleasure, were umpired by Simon Harris.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/243/oubc-trial-eights |date=13 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=OUBC trial eights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217221550/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/243/oubc-trial-eights |archive-date=17 December 2015 }} Pleasure drew away to hold half a length's lead by the top of Putney Embankment, extending it to three-quarters of a length as the crews passed Harrods Furniture Depository. Although Business made a push to close the gap, Pleasure held their lead below Barnes Bridge but began to tire. Business started to reduce the deficit but too late, as Pleasure passed the finishing post half-a-length ahead.
Cambridge's trial boats were named Fuerte and Listo (strong and clever in Spanish) with the club's president Henry Hoffstot occupying the latter's number seven seat.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/244/cubc-trial-eights |date=13 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=CUBC trial eights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217221555/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/244/cubc-trial-eights |archive-date=17 December 2015 }} Fuerte made the better start but by Barn Elms, the crews were level. With the umpire having to warn both crews for encroaching into each other's water at Fulham, Fuerte{{'}}s Luke Juckett caught a crab, allowing Listo to take a small lead. Fuerte regained the advantage under Hammersmith Bridge and were a length ahead by Chiswick Eyot. Taking advantage of the clear water, Fuerte moved across in front of Listo, and rowed on to win by four lengths.
Build-up
Cambridge were considered the favourites by bookmakers to win for the first time since the 2012 race.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=20 August 2016 |date=27 March 2016 |first=Alan |last=Tyers |title=The Boat Race 2016: Cambridge win the Boat Race against Oxford but their women's boat nearly sinks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729130353/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |archive-date=29 July 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd80fefa-dfbf-11e5-b67f-a61732c1d025.html#axzz43v8ASfBZ |work=Financial Times |title=Cambridge favourites for university boat race |first=Simon |last=Greaves |date=25 March 2016 |access-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328105034/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd80fefa-dfbf-11e5-b67f-a61732c1d025.html |archive-date=28 March 2016 }} Bookmakers considered Oxford's women to be favourites to retain their title for the fifth consecutive year.
=Women's=
CUWBC competed against Oxford Brookes University Boat Club along the Tideway on 31 January in a two-segment race. In inclement weather, Cambridge started from the Surrey side of the river for the first segment, and were quickly behind. By Craven Cottage, Oxford Brookes were one third of a length ahead, but CUWBC drew level by Harrods, and led under Hammersmith Bridge by a length to take victory. Oxford Brookes took Surrey for the second piece, starting at Chiswick Eyot. A close start saw the umpire John Garrett warning the crews for encroaching into each other's water, ultimately culminating in a clash under Barnes Bridge as Cambridge were pulling away. A "boat-stopping crab" put paid to any chance of Oxford Brookes recovering the deficit and CUWBC won the second segment by three lengths.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/251/cuwbc-beat-oxford-brookes-on-the-tideway |title=CUWBC beat Oxford Brookes on the Tideway |access-date=8 February 2016 |date=31 January 2016 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206222615/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/251/cuwbc-beat-oxford-brookes-on-the-tideway |archive-date= 6 February 2016 }}
CUWBC took on Molesey Boat Club on 22 February in a race from the Chiswick Steps to the Start post. A good start from the Light Blues saw them almost a length ahead by Chiswick Eyot, and move into a clear water advantage by St Paul's School. A further length's advantage was taken by Hammersmith Bridge which was soon extended to two by Harrods and three by the Mile Post. Despite encountering a strong headwind, CUWBC continued to pull away from Molesey and passed the Start line six lengths clear.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/255/cuwbc-convincingly-defeat-molesey |title=CUWBC convincingly defeat Molesey |access-date=24 February 2016 |date=22 February 2016 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225063122/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/255/cuwbc-convincingly-defeat-molesey |archive-date=25 February 2016 }} Six days later, OUWBC competed against Molesey in a three-piece set on the Championship Course. Aggressive steering from the Dark Blues earned them several warnings from the umpire during the first race, and although it was initially close, OUWBC pulled away to hold a length's lead by the Mile Post before passing under Hammersmith Bridge two lengths ahead. The second segment from the Mile Post to Chiswick Eyot featured further clashes between the crews, but Oxford dominated, leading by three lengths at St Paul's boathouses and winning by four lengths. In the third race, Molesey took an early lead but OUWBC recovered before the crews shot Barnes Bridge, finishing the piece two lengths ahead.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/257/ouwbc-secure-win-over-molesey-bc |date=28 February 2016 |access-date=29 February 2016 |title=OUWBC secure win over Molesey BC |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302200659/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/257/ouwbc-secure-win-over-molesey-bc |archive-date= 2 March 2016 }}
=Men's=
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Trophy (02).jpg]]
The Light Blues faced Oxford Brookes on the Tideway on 30 January, in a two-piece race. Cambridge selected Surrey and were a length down by the Town Buoy. At the first bend in the river by Craven Cottage, Oxford Brookes held a lead of nearly two lengths, but CUBC began to reduce the deficit. By Hammersmith Bridge, the crews were nearly level and despite warnings from the umpire, Cambridge held their aggressive line to pass the finish line at Chiswick Eyot two lengths ahead. In the second race, the crews rowed back from Chiswick Eyot to the Finish Post. Although Oxford Brookes took a narrow lead, the Light Blues were ahead by Chiswick Pier and took clear water advantage to win by more than three lengths. Goldie had lost both races against an alternate Oxford Brookes crew earlier.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/250/cubc-win-opening-fixture-vs-oxford-brookes |title=CUBC win opening fixture vs Oxford Brookes |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |access-date=8 February 2016 |date=31 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203065641/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/250/cubc-win-opening-fixture-vs-oxford-brookes |archive-date= 3 February 2016 }}
On 22 February, it was OUBC's turn to race against Oxford Brookes, in two segments over the Championship Course. After an even start to the first contest, the Dark Blues held a slight advantage heading into the first bend. Oxford Brookes recovered, and were two-thirds of a length ahead as the crews passed below Hammersmith Bridge. OUBC took advantage of a caught blade to move back into contention but the race was ended prematurely as a sailing boat intervened on the course. The Dark Blues took an early lead in the second race, but despite being a length up, failed to take a clear water advantage. Oxford Brookes drew back and by Barnes Bridge held a small lead, one which they capitalised on in the rough water to finally pass the Finish Post two lengths clear of OUBC.{{cite web |url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/254/oubc-given-stern-test-by-oxford-brookes |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |access-date=24 February 2016 |date=22 February 2016 |title=OUBC given stern test by Oxford Brookes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225064102/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/254/oubc-given-stern-test-by-oxford-brookes |archive-date=25 February 2016 }}
Umpired by Matthew Pinsent, Oxford raced against Leander on 12 March from Putney Bridge to Chiswick Eyot. Although Leander made the better start, the Dark Blues remained in touch, finishing two seats down.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/260/oubc-vs-leander |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |title=OUBC vs Leander |date=12 March 2016 |access-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315053805/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/260/oubc-vs-leander |archive-date=15 March 2016 }} CUBC faced a German under-23 crew in a two-segment race on the same day, with the Light Blues winning both.{{cite web | url = http://www.theboatraces.org/news/cubc-vs-german-u23 | title = CUBC vs German U23 | publisher = The Boat Race Company Limited | access-date = 15 December 2019 | date = 12 March 2016 }}
On 24 March, CUBC announced their boat name Kevin after Kevin Whyman, cox of the successful 1996 and 1997 crews who was killed in a solo aircraft display crash at CarFest North in August 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.cubc.org.uk/2016/03/24/2016-blue-boat-named-in-fond-memory-of-kevin-whyman/ |publisher=Cambridge University Boat Club |title=2016 Blue Boat named in fond memory of Kevin Whyman |access-date=25 March 2016 |date=24 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329093431/http://www.cubc.org.uk/2016/03/24/2016-blue-boat-named-in-fond-memory-of-kevin-whyman/ |archive-date=29 March 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-33748256 |title=Pilot Kevin Whyman killed in CarFest crash in Cheshire |publisher=BBC News |date=1 August 2015 |access-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213213051/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-33748256 |archive-date=13 February 2016 }} OUBC announced their boat name Daniel after their former coach Daniel Topolski,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/24/boat-race-2016-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-oxford-and-cambrid/ |first=Rachel |last=Quarrell |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=25 March 2016 |title=Boat Race 2016: All you need to know about the Oxford and Cambridge rivalry on the Thames |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326212253/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/24/boat-race-2016-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-oxford-and-cambrid/ |archive-date=26 March 2016 }} who died in February 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rowing/31567042 |title=Daniel Topolski: BBC commentator Topolski dies aged 69 |date=21 February 2015 |access-date=25 March 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319101416/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rowing/31567042 |archive-date=19 March 2016 }}
Crews
=Women=
The Cambridge crew weighed an average of {{convert|74.8|kg|lb|0}}, {{convert|4.3|kg|lb}} per rower more than their opponents. Both women's boat club presidents were British. Oxford's 2015 number seven Maddy Badcott was the president of OUWBC for the 2016 race.{{cite web|url=http://ouwbc.org/executive-committee-and-student-officers |title=OUWBC – Executive Committee and Student Officers |publisher=Oxford University Women's Boat Club |access-date=26 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127012421/http://ouwbc.org/executive-committee-and-student-officers |archive-date=27 November 2015 }} Her counterpart, Hannah Roberts, rowed in Blondie in 2014 and 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.cuwbc.org.uk/about/president |title=Message from the President |publisher=Cambridge University Women's Boat Club |access-date=26 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127075750/http://www.cuwbc.org.uk/about/president |archive-date=27 November 2015 }} The CUWBC crew featured three returning Blues in Daphne Martschenko, Ashton Brown and cox Rosemary Ostfeld. Oxford's crew also had three participants with Boat Race experience in former Boat Club president Anastasia Chitty, Maddy Badcott and Lauren Kedar.{{cite web |url=http://www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk/oxfords-boat-race-squad-announced/ |title=Oxford's Boat Race squad announced |first=Loughlan |last=Campbell |work=Oxfordshire Guardian |date=1 March 2016 |access-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307163607/http://www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk/oxfords-boat-race-squad-announced/ |archive-date=7 March 2016 }} Cambridge's number two, Fiona Macklin, was following her grandfather David Macklin who had represented the Light Blues in the 1951 race which required a re-row after Oxford sank.{{Cite news | work = The Observer | title = Cambridge's Fiona Macklin inspired by grandfather for Boat Race debut | date = 29 March 2016 | first = James | last= Riach}}
| class="wikitable" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2" scope="col| Seat
! colspan="5" scope="col| Oxford ! colspan="5" scope="col| Cambridge | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name
! Nationality ! College ! Height ! Weight ! Name ! Nationality ! College ! Height ! Weight | ||||||||||
| Bow | Emma Lukasiewicz | Canadian | Hertford | {{height|cm=174}} | {{convert|60.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Ashton Brown | Canadian | Fitzwilliam | {{height|cm=173}} | {{convert|81.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 2 | Emma Spruce | British | Wolfson | {{height|cm=178}} | {{convert|72.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Fiona Macklin | British | | St John's | {{height|cm=173}} | {{convert|64.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 3 | Joanneke Jansen | Dutch | New College | {{height|cm=180}} | {{convert|67.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Alice Jackson | British | Homerton | {{height|cm=176}} | {{convert|77.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 4 | Ruth Siddorn | British | Keble | {{height|cm=181}} | {{convert|75.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Théa Zabell | British | Downing | {{height|cm=183}} | {{convert|79.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 5 | Ëlo Luik | Estonian | Wolfson | {{height|cm=186}} | {{convert|78.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Daphne Martschenko | American | Magdalene | {{height|cm=178}} | {{convert|76.6|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 6 | Anastasia Chitty | British | Pembroke | {{height|cm=175}} | {{convert|71.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Myriam Goudet | French | Lucy Cavendish | {{height|cm=183}} | {{convert|80.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 7 | Maddy Badcott (P) | British | Wadham | {{height|cm=178}} | {{convert|74.8|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Hannah Roberts (P) | British | Jesus | {{height|cm=180}} | {{convert|73.6|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| Stroke | Lauren Kedar | British | Exeter | {{height|cm=178}} | {{convert|65.6|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Zara Goozée | British | Downing | {{height|cm=175}} | {{convert|66.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| Cox | Morgan Baynham-Williams | British | Oriel | {{height|cm=168}} | {{convert|60.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Rosemary Ostfeld | American | Hughes Hall | {{height|cm=158}} | {{convert|50.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| colspan="11"|Sources: (P) – Boat club president |
=Men=
The Cambridge crew weighed an average of {{convert|88.25|kg|lb|0}}, {{convert|1.5|kg|lb}} per rower more than their opponents.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/258/blue-boat-crews-announced |title=Blue Boat crews announced |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |date=1 March 2016 |access-date=13 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404113758/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/258/blue-boat-crews-announced |archive-date= 4 April 2016 }} Oxford's number four, Joshua Bugajski, was the heaviest man in the race, weighing {{convert|96.4|kg|lb|0}}. It was the first time in the history of the race that both boat club presidents were American.{{cite web|url=http://theboatraces.org/news-article/223/the-2016-bny-mellon-boat-races-presidents-are-elected |title=The 2016 BNY Mellon Boat Races Presidents are elected |date=8 September 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015 |publisher=The Boat Race Company Limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126070328/http://theboatraces.org/news-article/223/the-2016-bny-mellon-boat-races-presidents-are-elected |archive-date=26 November 2015 }} Cambridge's Henry Hoffstot hailed from New York while Oxford's Morgan Gerlak was born in Baltimore.{{cite web|url=http://ww2.usrowing.org/Pressbox/AthleteBios/HenryHoffstot_copy1.aspx |title=Henry Hoffstot |publisher=USRowing |access-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815051206/http://ww2.usrowing.org/Pressbox/AthleteBios/HenryHoffstot_copy1.aspx |archive-date=15 August 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://ww2.usrowing.org/pressbox/athletebios/morgangerlak |title=Morgan Gerlak |publisher=USRowing |access-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815075127/http://ww2.usrowing.org/pressbox/athletebios/morgangerlak |archive-date=15 August 2016 }} The Dark Blue crew contained a single rower with Boat Race experience in Jamie Cook, a member of the victorious 2015 crew. Four members of the 2015 crew returned for the Light Blues, including cox Ian Middleton and president Henry Hoffstot who were earning their third Blues.{{cite news | title = Boat Race 2016: Four Blues back for Cambridge University men's crew to face Oxford on the Tideway | first = Mark | last = Taylor | work = Cambridge News | date = 1 March 2016 }}
| class="wikitable" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2" scope="col| Seat
! colspan="5" scope="col| Oxford ! colspan="5" scope="col| Cambridge | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name
! Nationality ! College ! Height ! Weight ! Name ! Nationality ! College ! Height ! Weight | ||||||||||
| Bow | George McKirdy | British | St Edmund Hall | {{height|cm=190}} | {{convert|76.8|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Felix Newman | British | Selwyn | {{height|cm=185}} | {{convert|83.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 2 | James White | British | Christ Church | {{height|cm=187}} | {{convert|87.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Ali Abbasi | German / American | Trinity | {{height|cm=188}} | {{convert|88.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 3 | Morgan Gerlak (P) | American | Keble | {{height|cm=185}} | {{convert|85.8|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Charles Fisher | British | St John's | {{height|cm=198}} | {{convert|91.8|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 4 | Joshua Bugajski | British | Keble | {{height|cm=194}} | {{convert|96.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Clemens Auersperg | Austrian | Peterhouse | {{height|cm=204}} | {{convert|90.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 5 | Leo Carrington | British / New Zealander | Kellogg | {{height|cm=189}} | {{convert|87.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Luke Juckett | American | St Edmund's | {{height|cm=185}} | {{convert|82.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 6 | Jørgen Tveit | British | St John's | {{height|cm=194}} | {{convert|82.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Henry Hoffstot (P) | American | Hughes Hall | {{height|cm=196}} | {{convert|92.6|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| 7 | Jamie Cook | British | St Cross | {{height|cm=188}} | {{convert|84.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Ben Ruble | American | Hughes Hall | {{height|cm=188}} | {{convert|83.4|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| Stroke | Nik Hazell | British | Christ Church | {{height|cm=199}} | {{convert|94.8|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Lance Tredell | British | Hughes Hall | {{height|cm=194}} | {{convert|94.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| Cox | Sam Collier | British | New College | {{height|cm=170}} | {{convert|56.2|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Ian Middleton | British | Queens' | {{height|cm=173}} | {{convert|54.0|kg|0|abbr=on}} |
| colspan="11"|Sources: (P) – Boat club president |
Races
=Reserves=
In the women's reserves' race, Cambridge's Blondie defeated Oxford's Osiris by three lengths to take their first victory in five years, taking the overall record (since 1968) to 22–20 in their favour. Oxford's Isis beat Goldie in the men's reserves' race by two lengths in a time of 18 minutes 55 seconds. It was their sixth consecutive victory and eighth in nine years, and reduced Cambridge's overall lead in the competition to 29–23.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boat-race-2016-live-oxford-vs-cambridge-latest-updates-a6955041.html |work=The Independent |title=Boat Race 2016 live: Latest updates from Oxford vs Cambridge, Dark Blues win Women's Race |first=Mark |last=Critchley |date=27 March 2016 |access-date=27 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327154110/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boat-race-2016-live-oxford-vs-cambridge-latest-updates-a6955041.html |archive-date=27 March 2016 }}
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Reserve Race (01).jpg|Women's Reserve race coin toss
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Reserve Race (02).jpg|Cambridge Women's Reserve Blondie boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Reserve Race (03).jpg|Oxford Women's Reserve Osiris boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Reserve Race (04).jpg|Women's Reserve race from the Putney Embankment
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Reserve Race (01).jpg|Men's Reserve race coin toss
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Reserve Race (02).jpg|Cambridge Men's Reserve Goldie boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Reserve Race (03).jpg|Oxford Men's Reserve Isis boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Reserve Race (04).jpg|Men's Reserve race from the Putney Embankment
=Women's=
The women's race was the 71st contest between OUWBC and CUWBC, and started at 3:10 p.m. on 27 March 2016. The overall record in the event before the race stood at 41–29 in Cambridge's favour. Weather conditions were poor, described in The Daily Telegraph an hour before the race as "terrible ... hail, thunder, lightning, the works".{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=16 August 2016 |date=27 March 2016 |first=Rachel |last=Quarrell |title=The Boat Race 2016: Cambridge win the Boat Race against Oxford but their women's boat nearly sinks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729130353/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |archive-date=29 July 2016 }} Although conditions improved by the start time, it was still windy and the river was rough. Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey side of the river. Cambridge made the better start and held a slight lead, but after passing the Mile Post level, OUWBC made a push to hold a half-length lead after five minutes, and were almost clear by Harrods Furniture Depository. Cambridge, two seconds down as the crews passed below Hammersmith Bridge, were forced to take evasive action but kept in touch despite multiple warnings from the umpire. The Light Blues made for the shelter of the shore as the conditions worsened and both boats took on water, while Oxford remained in the rough water, losing some of their advantage. Oxford were eight seconds ahead by Chiswick Steps and tucked into the Middlesex bank while Cambridge remained in the more traditional racing line, taking on a substantial amount of water. At Barnes Bridge, Cambridge began to sink and received advice to pull to the side. The Cambridge cox indicated that she wanted to continue to complete the course and was allowed to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/27/oxford-v-cambridge-boat-race-2016-live |work=The Guardian |title=Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race 2016 Live |access-date=27 March 2016 |date=27 March 2016 |first=Niall |last=McVeigh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327154115/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/27/oxford-v-cambridge-boat-race-2016-live |archive-date=27 March 2016 }} Oxford passed the finishing post in 21 minutes 49 seconds, 24 lengths ahead of the Light Blues, taking the overall record to 41–30 in Cambridge's favour.
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Blues Race (02).jpg|Women's Blues race coin toss
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Blues Race (03).jpg|Cambridge Women's Blues boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Blues Race (04).jpg|Oxford Women's Blues boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Blues Race (05).jpg|Women's race from the Putney Embankment
File:Boat Race 2016 - Women's Trophy (01).jpg|Women's race winner's trophy
=Men's=
Cambridge won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey side of the river. The men's race was the 162nd contest between OUBC and CUBC, and was held at 4:10 p.m on 27 March 2016. Prior to the race, the overall record in the event stood at 81–79 in Cambridge's favour, with one dead heat. Oxford were late for the start and were awarded a "false start", meaning that one more false start from the Dark Blues would result in disqualification. Cambridge edged ahead from the start and were a canopy's length ahead after a minute. After warnings to both crews from the umpire, Cambridge moved away from the Dark Blues and were half a length ahead by the Mile Post and almost clear as the crews passed the Harrods Furniture Depository. Oxford pushed on under Hammersmith Bridge to remain in contention, one second behind. Cambridge moved just clear as the crews hit rough water in Chiswick Reach just below Chiswick Eyot. By the time they passed Chiswick Steps, the Light Blues were over a length clear and five seconds ahead of Oxford. Both crews moved towards the Middlesex side of the river to reduce their exposure to the rough conditions and as they passed under Barnes Bridge, the Light Blues held a nine-second lead. Oxford pushed on to keep in touch, but Cambridge passed the finishing post in 18 minutes 38 seconds, two and a half lengths ahead of Oxford. It was the Light Blues' first victory in four years, ending a run of six wins from eight races for Oxford,{{Cite news|work=The Independent |title=Boat Race 2016: Cambridge beat Oxford to win 162nd men's Boat Race |first=Declan |last=Warrington |date=27 March 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boat-race-2016-cambridge-beat-oxford-to-win-162nd-mens-boat-race-a6955441.html |access-date=21 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911195215/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boat-race-2016-cambridge-beat-oxford-to-win-162nd-mens-boat-race-a6955441.html |archive-date=11 September 2016 }} and took the overall record in the event to 82–79 in Cambridge's favour.
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Blues Race (01).jpg|Men's Blues race coin toss
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Blues Race (02).jpg|Cambridge Men's Blues boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Blues Race (03).jpg|Oxford Men's Blues boat
File:Boat Race 2016 - Men's Blues Race (04).jpg|Men's race from the Putney Embankment
Reaction
Cambridge's women's coach Rob Baker said "Our cox did exceptionally well and nearly got us back into the race. Then we sunk." Speaking of Oxford's cox Morgan Baynham-Williams, OUWBC president Badcott noted "we're so lucky to have Morgan – she smashed it today." Badcott went on to describe the conditions as "probably the worst I have experienced on the Tideway".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rowing/35908187 |title=Boat Race: Cambridge triumph after Oxford's women win |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 March 2016 |date=27 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327113825/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rowing/35908187 |archive-date=27 March 2016 }} OUBC's coach Sean Bowden said the conditions were "the worst I have ever seen" while Matthew Pinsent referred to them as "absolutely biblical".{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/27/cambridge-storm-to-victory-over-oxford-to-claim-2016-boat-race-i/ |first=Oliver |last=Brown |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 March 2016 |access-date=13 April 2016 |title=Cambridge storm to victory over Oxford to claim 2016 Boat Race in 'absolutely biblical' conditions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413113352/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2016/03/27/cambridge-storm-to-victory-over-oxford-to-claim-2016-boat-race-i/ |archive-date=13 April 2016 }} Hoffstot said he was "humbled" by the victory, his first in three attempts, while his opposite number Gerlak acknowledged that Cambridge had "managed the conditions better."
Olympic medallists Helen Glover and Heather Stanning were amongst the presentation committee.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 March 2016 |date=27 March 2016 |title=Live – The Boat Race 2016: Oxford win women's boat race as Cambridge nearly sink |first=Alan |last=Tyers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326212241/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2016/03/21/boat-race-2016-which-tv-channel-and-will-oxford-or-cambridge-win/ |archive-date=26 March 2016 }}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|2016 University Boat Race}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160331103922/http://theboatraces.org/ Official website]
{{The Boat Race}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boat Race 2016, The}}
Category:2016 in English sport