Boat Race 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Cambridge earn CLEAN SWEEP as they win both Men’s and Women’s races on the Thames
CAMBRIDGE dominated The Boat Race as the Light Blues beat Oxford in both the Men's and Women's races.
One of the world's oldest annual sporting events did not disappoint as the men's and women's crews of Oxford and Cambridge played to a packed crowd on the Thames.
This was the 169th edition of the men's Boat Race and 78th women's race.
Cambridge continued their spell of domination and have now won 13 of the last 16 combined races since 2016.
- Men's winner: Cambridge
- Women's winner: Cambridge
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'Bridge too far for Oxford yet again
Cambridge are striding ahead in the overall tally for boat race triumphs after today's wins.
The Light Blues' men now have 87 victories - six more than Oxford.
Cambridge have stretched ahead in the overall tableCredit: Alamy And in fact Cambridge have lost just once in the last six races.
Oxford rower Leonard Jenkins reckons he might have got to the bottom of one reason his team struggled.
He said: "I felt like we needed to give them a fair fight. It would have been ideal to not have so much poo in the water.
"That’s not to take away from Cambridge, I don’t know if we would have had a chance to beat them even if we were all on form."
The Light Blues' women's team are doing even better following Cambridge's weekend double triumph.
They now lead Oxford's women by 48-30 overall.
Taken to the Edge
Matt Edge was so exhausted in Cambridge's winning crew he had to be helped out of the boat.
His colleagues Sebastian Benzecry, Noam Mouelle, Thomas Marsh, Augustus John, Kenneth Coplan, Thomas Lynch, Luca Ferraro and Ed Bracey refrained from throwing their coach in the Thames.
That was due to warnings about the poor quality of the water.
But Edge's own lack of intervention was also due to sheer tiredness.
He had wilted in the final stages of thevictory - barely being able to keep his head up.
And after he slumped in his seat at the end, he was supported off the boat.
'National disgrace' confirmed
Oxford coach Sean Bowden's verdict that the Thames had become a "national disgrace" were confirmed by illnesses to some of his rowers.
Bowden has played a key role with his university team since 1997.
And before today's start he said: "It’s a national disgrace, isn’t it?
"It’s very concerning. And it would be terrific if the Boat Race drew attention to it.
"We are very keen to play a part and we recognise we have a role and a responsibility to it."
Tradition ditched due to dodgy water
The Boat Race tradition of the winning cox being chucked out of the boat by team-mates was abandoned following warnings over the poor quality of the River Thames water.
Not only that, losers Oxford saw several of their rowers suffer from E. coli bacteria.
Cambridge take it all home
Both the men and women's team secure the win at The Boat Race today.
The women have won for the seventh time in a row while the men have won five of their last six races.
Credit: Reuters Clare Balding says why old tradition will be axed
Coxes will not be thrown in the water as per tradition and Clare Balding hints to the reason why.
She said: "It’s very unlikely the coxes will be thrown into the water, as per tradition, due to the state of the water...no shock to hear that, especially after Leonard Jenkins.
"It’s not great to have so much poo in the water.”
Matt Edge is OK
The Cambridge rower was struggling in the last mile but after being carried out the boat he is now OK.
Credit: PA 
Credit: PA 'It's not great to have so much poo in the water'
Oxford’s Leonard Jenkins on the defeat said: "I don’t really have any words...it didn’t for some reason, come together on the day...they all put all of effort into it and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
And he said one possible reasons for the defeat was, "Maybe experience, I am not sure...I didn’t expect it to be a big difference.
"We’ve have a few guys go down with e-coli strain. I threw up this morning but decided to row, I am not sure whether that was the right decision. It’s not great to have so much poo in the water.”
Men team secure the double for Cambridge
Cambridge’s winning machine cranked out another Boat Race victory.
This is the Light Blues fifth win in six years.
Credit: PA
Cambridge president speaks to BBC
On the win Cambridge president Sebastian Benzecry said: "That was my last race with the club, it’s been four unbelievable years.
"We knew we had to put a lot into it and go to a place where we rarely go. No one backed off for a second, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
And on Matt Edge’s effort he said: "Credit to Matt to go that deep, I am sure a lot of that margin in the early part of the race was down to him. Proud of him, It was an amazing race, it really came together.”
Five wins in the past six
Cambridge have won five in their last six races. Not as dominant as the women.
Cambridge secure the double
Matt Edge looks finished. But the Light Blues have done it and secure their 87th win. Cambridge have won the double for the second year in a row.
Through the Barnes Bridge
Coming into the final stages of the race and Cambridge now lead five lengths.
Cambridge increase lead
Cambridge will take it home they are three lengths ahead now. This will crush Oxford who were favourites to win.
Oxford will need a miracle
Cambridge are now two lengths clear. Oxford need to respond but it is a big ask.
Light Blues have clear water
Cambridge have pulled clear of Oxford and they look set to win the race.
Pinsent is still warning
The Olympic great is screaming, "Both crews move apart."
But Cambridge are now half a boat length ahead. The Dark Blues have a lot of water to make up.
Cambridge ahead
Pinsent still warning the crews to move apart - they keep clashing blades.
Cambridge are being warned
The two crews are close together and umpire Matthew Pinsent is warning both crews to "move apart."
Oxford lead
Oxford won the toss and went for the Surrey side. They currently lead the way.
Men's race is underway
The water is choppy and it will be a slow race for the crews. It will depend on who makes the most out of the bends.
Now for the men's race
The two crews for the upcoming race at 3.46pm.
Oxford Men
Saxon Stacey (bow)
Harry Glenister
Jelmer Bennema
James Doran
Elias Kun
Frederick Roper
Leonard Jenkins
Elliot Kemp (stroke)
William Denegri (cox)
Coach: Sean BowdenCambridge Men
Sebastien Benzecry (bow, President)
Noam Mouelle
Thomas Marsh
Augustus John
Kenneth Coplan
Thomas Lynch
Luca Ferraro
Matt Edge (stroke)
Ed Bracey (cox
Coach: Rob BakerOxford cox Joe Gellett speaks to the BBC
On the dramatic race Gellett said: “In my mind it happened just after Cambridge had been warned.
"I thought they hadn’t gone back to their water...unfortunately Richard concluded it didn’t happen in our water so the result stands.”
Oxford reserve wins
The Dark Blues reserves made up for the defeat in the Osiris v Blondie Boat Race after smashing Cambridge.
Cambridge speak to the BBC
Cox, Hannah Armstrong said: "Just super proud crossing the line, that was the best race we could do. Incredibly happy with it.”
Gemma King said: "We just believed in ourselves and really proud of us.”
Jenna Armstrong said: "That was one epic race, that was close, that’s what we wanted for women’s sport, that was epic.”