Cambridge win Boat Race 2026 after beating Oxford in rough conditions

Callum Vurley
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:55:45 +0000

Cambridge have done it again, claiming their fourth Boat Race triumph on the trot despite battling through some of the choppiest and windiest conditions anyone can remember in recent years.

The Light Blues arrived on the Thames as overwhelming favourites, and it's easy to see why. Their squad is absolutely stacked with international rowers and Olympians who've been unstoppable throughout the season.

In fact, Cambridge have lost just once in the past ten years, making their dominance of this historic rivalry pretty remarkable.

Starting from the Middlesex station put them at a slight disadvantage, but the favourites got off to a strong start nonetheless.

Things got properly dramatic in the middle of the race, though. Oxford showed real guts and mounted an unexpected fightback during what became a rather chaotic stretch of rowing.

The race umpire had to warn both crews as their oars came dangerously close to clashing on several occasions.

But it's the conditions that really had everyone on edge. Water was constantly splashing up into the boats, creating what felt like sea conditions on the Thames.

At one point, there were genuine fears that one of the boats might actually go under. It was that rough out there.

Oxford's courageous resistance ultimately wasn't enough to change the outcome. You simply can't fake your way through the gruelling 4.3-mile Championship Course, and Cambridge's class eventually shone through.

The Light Blues pulled away steadily, crossing the finish line with a comfortable four-length advantage.

This victory marks Cambridge's seventh win in just eight years, cementing their status as the dominant force in university rowing.

It was the 171st running of this iconic race, and Cambridge have now extended their all-time lead to 89-81 since the rivalry began back in 1829.

Quite the era for the Light Blues.