Oxford's women make history with dominant Boat Race win
Last Updated: 12/04/15 8:50am
Oxford made history with victory over Cambridge in the Women's Boat Race, as the event was held on the same day and course as the men's race for the first time.
The Dark Blues were dominant as they made it 12 wins in the last 16 editions of the race, although they still trail their rivals from Cambridge 41-29 in the overall series.
For the first time in 88 years, the women's race was staged on the famous Tideway course that for so long had been the sole preserve of the men, having previously been held further up river at Henley.
Their powerful crew had to be rescued from the river earlier in the week, but during the race they never looked in danger of defeat as they cruised home by six-and-a-half lengths.
Oxford's Caryn Davies, a double Olympic gold medallist with the United States, said: "I'm proud and honoured to have this much attention.
"It shows how excited people are and I'm so glad we can be role models to all the young women out there.
"I could just hear so many people cheering along the banks and it didn't matter it they were cheering for Oxford or Cambridge. Just that they turned out was really great for us."
Oxford women's president Anastasia Chitty hailed the victory as a special moment for her crew, but also for rowing and sporting equality overall.
"It's an amazing moment," Chitty said. "To pull something off like that is amazing.
"To row on the same stage as the men, there were so many women before us who have never had this opportunity and it's extremely humbling.
"We started moving away early on and kept ourselves ahead."
