Boat Race 2024: Cambridge comfortably beat Oxford in both men's and women's races

Cambridge won the men's Boat Race to complete the double over university rivals Oxford following victory in the women's race.

It was Cambridge's fifth win from the past six in the men's race and seventh successive win in the women's.

Earlier in the week, crews had been warned to not enter the Thames after high levels of E. coli were found.

After the race, Oxford rower Leonard Jenkins said some of the crew had been struggling with illness.

"This is not to take anything away from Cambridge at all but I do also want to say that we've had a few guys go down pretty badly ill with the E. coli," the Oxford number seven said.

"This morning I was throwing up and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to race. I kept that quiet and ultimately that's on my shoulders, it may not have been the right choice because I didn't have my all to give in that race.

"It would be a lot nicer if there wasn't as much poo in the water. It's not to take away from Cambridge, as we may not have beaten them even if we were all on top form."

Neither of the winning teams entered the water after their victories and crews were also told to take additional precautions including covering any blisters and wearing footwear when getting in and out of the boats.

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Men's victory an 'unbelievable feeling'

Cambridge dominated the men's race and were more than 10 seconds ahead, but slowed towards the conclusion with stroke Matt Edge on the verge of collapse.

But Edge and his team held on for a comfortable victory by three and a half lengths.

There were some early warnings for oar clashes, but after about five minutes Cambridge had pulled more than a length ahead.

Oxford slipped further behind but had a glimmer of hope on the final straight when Edge started to struggle, his oar barely scraping the water.

But their slower start cost them as Cambridge had opened up enough of a distance to hang on.

"That was my last race with this club and I knew it was going to be a challenging one," said Cambridge president Sebastian Benzecry.

"We put a lot into it, pushed ourselves into a place that we rarely go, but it is an unbelievable feeling. They never gave up and I am so proud of all the guys."

Edge had to be carried from the boat at the conclusion.

The men's head-to-head stands at 87-81 in Cambridge's favour and they also lead 48-30 in the women's race.

Cambridge continue women's dominance

Cambridge women earlier won their race for the seventh successive year in another clear-cut victory.

Oxford were warned after almost colliding with their opponents. They had made a flying start but were overtaken after around 10 minutes and could not recover, with Cambridge winning by seven lengths.

"We still believed the whole way through, even after their start," said Cambridge bow Gemma King.

"We know our pace is our strength and that we could catch up."

Oxford cox Joe Gellett raised an appeal at the conclusion of the race as he believed the Cambridge boat had crossed their path, but after a debate with umpire Richard Phelps the appeal was dismissed.

Phelps said Oxford had in fact moved into Cambridge's station and bumped their boat.