 The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities and followed throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide.Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1922 race by one length, while Oxford led overall with 39 victories to Cambridge's 34 (excluding the "dead heat" of 1877).Oxford were coached by G. C. Bourne who had rowed for the university in the 1882 and 1883 races, Harcourt Gilbey Gold (Dark Blue president for the 1900 race and four-time Blue) and E. D. Horsfall (who had rowed in the three races prior to the First World War).