Cambridge secured a dominant victory in the 2025 Boat Race, maintaining their supremacy over Oxford with both the men’s and women’s teams triumphing in commanding fashion.
The women’s race was marked by dramatic tension right from the start. Following a controversial pre-race build-up due to eligibility issues, the Cambridge women’s crew faced an early clash of oars, forcing a restart just 90 seconds into the race. Oxford’s cox, Daniel Orton, had steered aggressively, causing multiple clashes between the oars. Despite the possibility of a disqualification, the umpire chose to restart the race, allowing Oxford another shot. However, Cambridge soon took control, powering ahead and maintaining their lead. By the time the crews approached Barnes Bridge, Cambridge was two lengths ahead, with their victory never in doubt. The emotional moment was felt deeply by the team, with bow Katy Hempson and others reduced to tears of joy as they crossed the finish line.
The men’s race also featured an exciting start, although this time the delay was caused by a piece of driftwood in the river. Once the race began, Oxford stayed close for the first stretch, but Cambridge quickly surged ahead by the Surrey Bend. As the race continued, Cambridge’s power and precision began to tell, and they eventually pulled away, securing a decisive victory for the third consecutive year. Luca Ferraro, the Cambridge men’s president, expressed relief and gratitude for the entire team, acknowledging the strong contributions of those who had to watch from the sidelines due to the eligibility row.
For Oxford, the defeat was hard-fought but not demoralizing. The Oxford men’s president, Tom Mackintosh, who was also a gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, praised the Cambridge team’s performance and reiterated the value of the journey, friendships, and lessons learned throughout the process. Mackintosh’s optimism about Oxford’s future was clear, even in the face of their defeat.
The controversy surrounding the eligibility of four Cambridge athletes—who were barred from racing—only added fuel to the team’s fire. According to Cambridge men’s coach Rob Baker, the athletes “100%” used the controversy as motivation, pushing them to perform at their best. The athletes who were unable to race, Matt Heywood and Tom Ford, showed great support for the team throughout the process, proving the strength of their character and commitment to their teammates.
George Bourne, a Cambridge rower, praised the team’s culture, crediting Rob Baker for his leadership. Bourne described the coach as someone who treats the athletes with respect and fosters an environment of high standards, which made the team’s success all the more satisfying. The collective effort and focus were clearly evident as Cambridge continued their impressive run in the prestigious race.
In the end, while Oxford fought hard and showed resilience, Cambridge’s superior performance ensured their continued dominance in the Boat Race. Both teams displayed incredible sportsmanship and determination, and while the result was bittersweet for Oxford, the future looks bright for both institutions.
