After three successive Boat Race defeats Cambridge are looking to record their first win since 2001 when they meet traditional rivals Oxford over the reverse Royal Regatta course at Henley on Easter Saturday, 26 March.
The Women's Boat Race started in 1927 but moved to Henley fifty years later. As in the men's race Cambridge hold the advantage in overall wins and current form indicates a close race to match the three foot verdict which Cambridge secured four years ago, to win the closest race on record.
Women's Head Gives Early Form To Light Blues
Cambridge placed fifth overall at the Women's Head of the River race between Mortlake and Putney last Saturday, to finish 27 seconds clear of Oxford, who finished in 12th position.
It was a remarkable fillip for the Light Blues, who are looking to reverse their run of defeats by Oxford. But the Dark Blues were below full strength last weekend, when chief coach Ian Shore lent triple-Blue Hilary Powell, a likely future GB international, to Leander Club, who won the Head by the narrowest of margins.
Oxford have now brought in Canadian international Buffy Williams to help with their fine-tuning in advance of Race Day. Williams, a finalist in the women's pair at Athens, is the wife of Barney Williams, stroke of the Canadian four which was squeezed into second place at the Olympics by Great Britain, and who has himself been selected for the Oxford crew for the men's Boat Race on 27 March.