boat race race crews university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge took place river_thames march umpired oxford rower cambridge won time minutes seconds reserve race cambridge beat oxford isis half lengths cambridge won 52nd women boat race background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge held competition mile race river_thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom worldwide cambridge went race reigning champions having won race quarter lengths led overall victories oxford excluding dead heat race sponsored 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 weigh held club march cambridge crew pre race favourites weighed average pound rower oxford cambridge heaviest man race stone crews tallest history race cambridge averaging oxford oxford blue italy cambridge crew featured blues oxford crew contained cambridge coached oxford guided led netherlands olympic gold atlanta men race description oxford non rowing boat club president won toss selected surrey station starting point crew cambridge started middlesex station immediately start cambridge cox steered oxford water closing lateral gap boats securing series warnings race umpire oxford held lead feet round bend crews level mile post hammersmith_bridge oxford pulled away marginally hold length lead superior steering surrey bend pulled cambridge contention level length ahead moving cambridge took oxford clear water passed finishing post seconds lengths ahead cambridge fourth consecutive victory took overall record favour end race umpire issued warnings crews reserve race cambridge beat oxford isis half lengths 52nd running cambridge reaction olympic gold presented cambridge crews medals oxford coach said big bend cambridge actually flying race went better cambridge rowed cambridge coach williams noted boys took stick press responded pressure brilliant oxford stroke olympic bronze told crew remember lost boat race don forget good rowers stated interview occasions blades clashed cambridge warned occasion oxford think end don think affected outcome
The Boat Race 1997