boat race boat race took place march held annually boat race rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames oxford won half lengths seventh occasion race umpired time history race crews women reserve race oxford isis won cambridge won background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues held race currently takes place mile championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom broadcast worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won race half lengths cambridge leading overall victories oxford excluding dead heat event sponsored prior race announced company sponsors following years deal worth howard umpire race seventh occasion cambridge oxford cox time history boat race crews female prior race oxford coach criticised cox useless hit fault cambridge chosen knows river responded feel confident decisions cambridge win women boat race took place annual fixture 1960s contest conducted race held river_thames day men main reserve races reserve race contested oxford isis boat cambridge boat held usually takes place prior main boat race crews cambridge pre race favourites crew weighed average pounds rower opponents largest difference boat race cambridge weighed making heaviest rower history event oxford boat featured blues cambridge contained cambridge chief coach selected coach time director races cambridge won toss elected start surrey station early clash blades oxford ahead held lead seconds mile_post minutes later oxford clear water advantage continued pull away holding second lead bridge lead extended slightly cambridge failed ground oxford swept seconds ahead oxford maintained lead pass finish post half lengths clear reserve race oxford isis won quarter lengths victory years cambridge won 44th women boat race length time minutes seconds second victory years reaction said damaging race looking possible oxford stroke explained expect ali experience oxford coach suggested race battle cambridge settled steady rhythm soon
The Boat Race 1989