Oxford won the Women's Eights Head on the Tideway on Saturday, some thirty seconds faster than Cambridge, who finished a disappointing 13th among more than 200 domestic and foreign crews. The result makes Oxford hot favourites to regain the Women's Boat Race trophy with just three weeks of preparation remaining to Race Day.
The Women's Boat Race, rowed over the Henley Regatta course, started as a style contest in 1927 but these days is every bit as tough as the more famous men's race between Putney and Mortlake.
After last year's triumph for Cambridge, who regained the upper hand in the Women's Boat Race after losing the previous year, Oxford can rely on the experience of three returning Blues from last year's race to bolster the Dark Blue challenge, as well as their President, Liz Rowles, a former winner of the Lightweight Women's Boat Race in 2006.
Cambridge will boat two of last year's winning Blues as part of their crew who will be hoping to prevent Oxford taking the trophy home for the sixth time in nine years.
Race Day on 23 March also includes the Lightweight Boat Races for men and Women, restricted to those athletes whose weight falls below the threshold of 70Kg for men and 57Kg for women.
The Women's Boat Race started in 1927 and has been rowed over the Henley course each year since 1977. Cambridge have had a total of 40 wins against 22 for Oxford.
The Henley Boat Races on Sunday 23 March includes:
2.00pm The Reserve Women's Boat Race (Oxford) v. Blondie (Cambridge)
2.30pm The Lightweight Women's Boat Race: Oxford v. Cambridge
3.00pm The Women's Boat Race: Oxford v. Cambridge
3.30pm The Lightweight Men's Boat Race: Oxford v. Cambridge