Oxford women turn the tide as Cambridge retain all other titles in 2026 CHANEL J12 Boat Race – British Rowing

Oxford women turn the tide as Cambridge retain all other titles in 2026 CHANEL J12 Boat Race

Full records of the Blues, Reserve and Lightweight Boat Races

A split stage for this year’s CHANEL J12 Boat Race, with Oxford Women taking the title for the first time in nine years and Cambridge maintaining their winning streak from 2022 in the Blues Boat race. Today’s challenge was not just Oxford vs Cambridge, but all eight crews against the Tideway ranks.

Read on to see how it all happened!

Length and times to be confirmed.

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Women’s Boat Race: Oxford wins

In the first race of the day, Cambridge won the coin and chose to start at Surrey station and Oxford at Middlesex.

Both crews started hot and were too close to call, it was Oxford who took the lead on the sail at the Embankment end. At Fulham Football Club, the Dark Blues had extended to half a length.

Approaching Hammersmith Bridge, the rhythm and energy of Oxford from its era began to intrude. The leaders went from a length, to a length and a half, to two by the time they passed Hammersmith Bridge.

As the crew approached Eyot, and the battle against the Tideway began, the Light Blues decided to go to the bank. The decision to flow or stay was taken differently by both workers. Oxford initially continued to struggle in poor conditions, but soon followed Cambridges decision to get in the way of Middlesex before it was too late. Cambridge had already taken a long time to get into dark trouble because of hasty decisions.

The wind against the tide tested both crews in this area, but Oxford stayed calm, sharp and long in the water. They continued to build, progressing to three tall and four. Clinging to their advantage in the group stage as both crews crashed into the Surrey side, Oxford made a last ditch effort and turned the tide for the first time in 9 years.

Oxford Women’s President and Olympic bronze medallist, Heidi Long, said: “I’m over the moon. I couldn’t be prouder of this whole team and all of Oxford University BC, including those who came before us. Today is a great day and always a great day to be Dark.”

Women’s Conservation Race: Cambridge wins

Blondie (Cambridge) vs Osiris (Oxford) started shortly after and followed a similar suit as the Women’s Boat Race, but the Light Blue showed a greater performance than the Black Blues.

Osiris won the coin and chose the Surrey side and Blondie over Middlesex. Both teams put up a good fight from the start and stayed side by side for the first part of the race.

Blondie’s Stroke Chair, Eloise Etherington, said: “The standards were very high and our Lauren did a fantastic job where we could”. Osiris stayed in the fight during the first half, but Cambridge broke clear and led the dark fortunes into the chop.

Lucy Harvard, seat 2 explained how difficult the conditions were: “It was very difficult, not the conditions we have every day at Tideway, and certainly the worst conditions we have had leading up to this race”.

Blondie stayed in good form for a long time, turning Tideway back to Light Blue as they won their race.

Men’s Reserve race: Cambridge wins

In one of the highlights of the day, the flag dropped for the Men’s reserve race; Goldie vs Isis. Isis won the coin and was chosen for her favorite station of the day: Surrey. The Goldie class, won by the 24′ Blue Boat winner Matt Edge showed how much experience and depth the team has.

Goldie won the race with enough speed.

Men’s Boat Race: Cambridge wins by 3.5 lengths

Oxford’s Dark Blues won the Men’s Boat Race coin, choosing to start in Surrey, leaving the Cambridge men to take the Middlesex station.

The race was closer than the rowers had expected, with both crews shaken up at the start and sitting adrift for at least half of the 6.8km Championship Course.

Cambridge used their inside advantage earlier in the run up to Fulham Football Club, and were ahead before the crew reached the end of Putney Embankment. Oxford were repeatedly cautioned for the delivery, but their gritty pace plan meant they were never far behind the Light Blues, and they began to earn their keep as the boats moved down the Surrey road.

Cambridge took the lead at Hammersmith Bridge, but Oxford did not give up in the second half of the battle, and it was Cambridge’s turn to be warned for leading.

Cambridge came close at Chiswick Bridge to take the final win of the day for the Light Blues.

“The rowing culture at Cambridge is so strong – the boys in my group who don’t row are talking about it!” said five chair Gabriel Obholzer. “From the college staff all the way down to the universities they will be very happy to see us win three out of four today.”

Women’s Rowing and Rowing: Cambridge wins

Taking place a day before the lightweight race, Cambridge claimed a convincing victory over Oxford in the Women’s Lightweight Boat Race.

From the start, Cambridge established its own authority, leading beyond Thames Rowing Club and expanding it with Fulham Football Club.

Despite Oxford’s determination to maintain speed, the difficult conditions near Hammersmith Bridge and the high water tested both crews. Cambridge responded, slowly moving clear in favor of five lengths at Chiswick Steps.

Oxford tried surgery later but was unable to close the gap. Cambridge crossed the line by seven lengths to win.

Bad Men’s Boat Race: Cambridge wins

Cambridge claimed their second Lightweights victory in the Men’s race, again crossing the line seven lengths ahead.

The contest started close, with Cambridge taking the lead in the first half and Oxford responding to the lure of Fulham Football Club. Approaching

At Hammersmith Bridge, a warning held Oxford back, allowing Cambridge to regain the lead.

Choppy water challenged both crews, but by Barnes Bridge, the tide had clearly turned, and Cambridge extended their lead at the line.