Weather Conditions for Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race 7th April 2007
Weather conditions for the 153rd 2007 “Boat Race”- cloudy with sunny intervals, maximum temperature 17 degrees Celsius, minimum temperature 6 degrees Celsius, wind velocity north easterly at 5 mph, tide speed 0.9 metres per second.
The Boat Race
Chiswick Eyot
The crews are now passing Chiswick Eyot & it is now over 9½ minutes into the race. There have been no adverse weather conditions & it has been a clean race so far. Oxford hasn't got the individuals but they've got the team & they row very well together. Cambridge is more efficient & has managed to keep pace. The last bend on the course is in Cambridge 's favour.
Chiswick Steps
The crews are now at Chiswick Steps & who leads at the steps almost always wins the race. Cambridge leads at Chiswick Steps with a time of 10.55 to Oxfords 10.55½. Oxford have twice turned a deficit at Chiswick Steps into victory, Cambridge haven't achieved that since 1961. The crews are still maintaining an average of 35 strokes per minute which after almost 11 minutes must be starting to take its toll yet Oxford Cox Nick Brodie is demanding his crew push harder if they are to win.
The Surrey bend just about behind them, Oxfords advantage has been used & Cambridge has a lead & it starts to look promising for those in Light Blue.
Barnes Bridge
Now on the approach to Barnes Bridge, what advantage the river still has to offer it offers to those big Germans in the Cambridge boat with Kieran West the tallest oarsman ever in an Oxford Cambridge Boat Race behind them.
Cambridge rowing a lot better as they are no longer under pressure from Oxford . Mother Nature today has chosen to be at her kindest showing none of the rough waves of last year when the River Thames was as rough as the open sea, this year the surface of the water is almost as smooth as silk. The race now looks as if the favourite Cambridge will win, Oxford now trail at Barnes Bridge, only six boats have won when behind at Barnes Bridge.
Here at Barnes Bridge is a very tight bend but if Oxford can get themselves to overlap they can still disrupt Cambridge. Cambridge 's time at Barnes Bridge is 14.46, Oxford 14.50. Cambridge must now keep their wits about them, use common sense & keep in rhythm. Cambridge don't have a commanding lead but given they have the inside of the next bend if they maintain their speed & don't underestimate Oxford they should stay ahead. Journeys end is in sight & possible victory to Cambridge if they can maintain their slim lead. Underdogs Oxford who did so unexpectedly well for most of the race now see the lengthening shadow of probable defeat looming ever closer as Cambridge look sharp & Oxford trail behind.
Barnes Railway Bridge has been shot through its central span with ¾ of a mile to go. Every race since the Second World War bar one has been won by the leader at Barnes Bridge . Cambridge pedigree against Oxford passion & the names in the Cambridge Boat have met the reputations in the Cambridge Boat. They are approaching the Mortlake Brewery on the Surrey side which is the 4 mile mark. Until a few minutes ago this was a very close race as Oxford performed way beyond expectations by putting in an amazing effort-Cambridge however now lead by a length, the energy demands on Oxford starting to tell. There have been some dark days for the “Light Blues” recently but the clouds are clearing now, for two long years they have longed for the day when with Barnes Bridge behind them the Oxford boat is behind them to.
The Finish
The Cambridge boat started with many whom had previously never done this but only one of whom had won this before & that is all about to change, an international crew with a British heart a German engine and an uncompromising Canadian with a competitive streak within sight of victory, this time they refuse to loose, this time they get it right on the day, this time Cambridge are insisting that it should be them & 2007 is the year the “Light Blues” hit back, it is Cambridge who win the 2007 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
It was one of the best & closest races in years & credit to both crews, Oxford were the underdogs with a less talented crew on paper but they rowed well & disciplined but in the end their weight disadvantage helped make the difference with a win for Cambridge , their 79 th & first since 2004. The Oxford spell has been broken & Cambridge leads by 79 to 73 & one dead heat.
What a wonderful sight this must be for Cambridge coach New Zealander Duncan Holland whose hopes were dashed in the waves & weather of 2006 when the Cambridge boat took in water. After successive bitter defeats the sweet taste of success, sweetest of all for Cambridge Boat Club President Tom James, he moves from serial Boat Race competitor to Boat Race winner, Kieran West signed off with a win, the Germans Schulte & Engelmann have been over due this feeling & for Kip McDaniel the Canadian who moved from one end of the boat to the other a sporting sensation that goes off the chart.
For the rest of the victorious Cambridge crew happily this is all they have ever known, O'Shaughnessy, Champion & Cornelius first time Boat Race competitors are victorious & Rebecca Dowbiggin becomes the first woman to Cox the Light Blues to victory since Vian Sharif in 1999. The gap between them is back to six, Cambridge lead by 79 to 73 & one dead heat. The Xchanging Boat Race trophy for their victory in the 153rd contest of the University Boat Race will be to Cambridge University.
Cambridge won the 153rd Boat Race by one and a quarter lengths in a time of 17 minutes and 49 seconds. Oxfords time: 17.52.
Cambridge 's Goldie made it a double day of celebration for Cambridge by beating Oxford 's Isis by four lengths to win the reserve race in 17 mins 43secs.
The 2008 Oxford-Cambridge University Boat Race will be on Saturday March 29th at 17.15 hours.
The 2007 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race starts on time at 16:30 hours, 18 competitors' two boats, 4¼ miles, on the journey of their lives.
It takes share brute force initially to shift a stationary boat with the absolute rhythm & togetherness required for smooth swift movement, the first minute is arguably the most important. This is the time to put down a mark & claim the stream & impose your rules on the rest.
Cambridge on the Middlesex station want the advantage, the bend is coming up soon they want to be as far ahead as possible, Oxford looking to neutralise that. The approach to Fulham is the most up-tempo part of the contest. Cambridge must position themselves to take the advantage at the first bend which will benefit them by a third of a length yet despite Cambridge 's power Oxford are leading. It is an exceptional start by the underdogs, this is not what was expected & the widely held expectation that Cambridge could get away is being paid to by Oxford Cox Nick Brodie.
The crews are now in their rhythm as this public spectacle settles down to a private battle. Oxford on the Surrey side has given it all they've got & have a slight lead. We are now past the bend, past Craven Cottage (Fulham Football Ground) & the Oxford rowers are giving their Cox Nick Brodie every advantage so far. Cambridge is taking the bend to the right hand side which might give them a third of a length advantage. As of 2006 Surrey station has 75 wins, Middlesex 74 wins. Cambridge Cox Rebecca Dowbiggin is calm & collective letting her rowers know if they do likewise & stick to the game plan they will pull ahead eventually.
The Mile Post
Oxford has the advantage at the Mile Post with a time of 3.48 to Cambridge 's 3.49. The crews are now rowing at 35 strokes a minute & have moved closer together. Cambridge has been calm thanks to Cox Rebecca Dowbiggin but has lost at the first bend. Now approaching Hammersmith Bridge the crews come into the Surrey bend which is going to be an advantage to Oxford . Surrey Station as of 2006 has won 10 of the last 14 races. Umpire Peter Bridge is doing an excellent job keeping the 2 boats apart.
Harrods Depository
Oxford has the advantage of the inside bend as they come up to Harrods Depository one of the key signposts on the course & the crews are level. The Surrey bend however should work in Oxfords favour for the next mile & Cambridge on the outside of the bend is going to have to work a lot harder. For the next 8 minutes the advantage will be to Oxford . The underdogs now have a realistic chance. They have come from the outside of one bend & now benefit from the inside of the next bend & the pedigree in the Cambridge boat is going to have to live up to reputation.
Hammersmith Bridge
Oxford leads at Hammersmith Bridge with a time of 6.57 to Cambridge 's 6.58 & the boats come close to touching, 80% of boats leading at Hammersmith Bridge have won. The position on the water now is vital, the racing line under Hammersmith Bridge is the second lamp post from the left.
Oxford has the chance at this point to pull ahead & shut the door on Cambridge equally Cambridge has got to keep themselves in the race for the next few minutes. Oxford won the last 2 races but not 3 in a row since 1992.
The crews are so close they have threaded their oars through each other, there was no contact but it was uncomfortably close. If Oxford wins it will be the biggest upset since the year of the Mutiny 1987.
