Cambridge beat Oxford in the 166th Boat Race by less than a length in a contest moved to Cambridgeshire because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Both the men's and women's race were moved from the usual course, along the Thames in London, to the Great Ouse.

For the first time in the event's history, the men's race had afemale umpire, Sarah Winckless.

Earlier, Cambridge won the women's race, also by less than a length, to earn a fourth successive win.

The traditional showdown between Oxford and Cambridge universities has been moved from the Thames to Ely in Cambridgeshire for the first time since the Second World War due to the coronavirus pandemic and safety concerns over Hammersmith Bridge.

The eight-strong crews will compete over a shorter three-mile stretch of the Great Ouse with Cambridge looking to win their third straight men's and women's races on water - the 2020 race was held virtually.

The teams have only been able to train fully for four weeks after receiving a special dispensation to form an elite sport bio-bubble.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The 2021 Boat Race will be a landmark day in the event's history - and not only because the event will be staged outside London!

For the first time in the event's 166-year history, the men's race will have a female umpire, Sarah Winckless.

Winckless, 47, was set to become the first female umpire of the men's race last year only for the event to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the same day another woman - Judith Packer - will be in charge of the women's race.

Like Winckless, she was due to umpire last year when the race was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Men's race crews

Oxford: James Forward; Alex Bebb; Martin Barakso; Felix Drinkall; Tobias Schroder; Jean-Philippe Dufour; Joshua Bowesman-Hones; Augustin Wambersie; Jesese Oberst (cox)

Cambridge: Theo Weinberger; Ben Dyer; Seb Benzecry; Quinten Richardson; Garth Holden; Ollie Parish; Callum Sullivan; Drew Taylor; Charlie Marcus (cox)

Women's race crews

Oxford: Megan Stoker; Anja Zehfuss; Martha Birtles; Amelia Standing; Julia Lindsay; Georgina Grant; Katie Anderson; Katherine Maitland; Costi Levy (cox)

Cambridge: Adriana Perez Rotondo; Sarah Portmsouth; Abba Parker; Caoimhe Dempsey; Anouschka Fenley; Sophie Paine; Bronya Sykes; Sarah Tisdall; Dylan Whitaker (cox)

Sunday, 4 April

15:00-17:30 - BBC One, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport wesbite and mobile app

The Boat Race will be available to catch-up on for 30 days on BBC iPlayer.

A whole generation of Brits grew up watching our rowers dominate the Olympics, with Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent leading the medal tallies.

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