The Boat Race 1863

The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities, and since the 21st century, is followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1862 race by ten lengths, with Cambridge leading overall with ten victories to Oxford's nine. According to Drinkwater, neither boat club president was "sensible of their duty to posterity, for they kept no records of the training of the crews". Both crews arrived at Putney on 21 March, one week before the race, Cambridge's boat was built by Searle. The race was umpired by Joseph William Chitty who had rowed for Oxford twice in 1849 (in the March and December races) and the 1852 race. ==Crews==

The Oxford crew averaged over in height, Six of the Oxford crew had represented their university in the previous year's race, including W. M. Hoare who was rowing at stroke for the third time. The Cambridge boat contained two members of the 1862 crew, including William Cecil Smyly and John Graham Chambers. ==Race==

along which the Boat Race is competed. For the 1863 event, the crews raced on the ebb tide, so started at Mortlake (marked as Finish) and ended in Putney (marked as Start). Oxford, who were clear pre-race favourites, won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey side of the river to Cambridge. The future British King, Edward VII, was in attendance. At the time of the race, there was a mild breeze and the water was "perfect, but for the steamers." Cambridge made the better start, but Oxford's steady rowing brought them level and within of the start, they were nearly half-a-length up on the Light Blues. By Craven Steps, they were clear and two lengths up by the Mile Post. The Dark Blues were three lengths up as they shot Barnes Bridge and won by fifteen lengths. It was Oxford's third consecutive victory and took the overall total to ten wins each, the first time since the 1856 race that the scores were tied. ==References==