This Sunday, April 2 is the 152nd Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, one of the world's most celebrated rowing events. The Canadian content this year has 2004 Olympic silver medallists Barney Williams and Jake Wetzel as part of the Oxford crew, and 2005 World bronze medallist Kip McDaniel in the stroke seat of the Cambridge boat.
"I think we have stronger opposition than last year," Williams said recently. Oxford, including Williams, won the 2005 Boat Race by two lengths (six seconds) in 16:42 - the third fastest time ever. "Last year's opposition was worthy of respect but not intimidating - this year I have that fear that we could do our best and still lose. Cambridge are a very powerful and accomplished crew."
Williams, of Salt Spring Island, B.C., is the president of the Oxford crew, and fellow Canadian and National Team veteran Wetzel, of Saskatoon, Sask., is rowing in his first Boat Race.
Kip McDaniel of Cobble Hill, B.C., a Harvard grad now studying economics at Cambridge, is also competing in his first Boat Race. McDaniel was part of the 2005 Canadian National Team rowing in the men's four that picked up a bronze medal at the World Championships in Gifu, Japan.
Cambridge leads the series 78-72 in this event that dates back to 1829.