SOUL OF SPORT: Thousands flock to the River Thames to watch Cambridge thrash historic rivals Oxford in the Boat Race despite a worrying near-collapse… with ANDY HOOPER capturing the action

Sports
By James
  • Cambridge defeated university rivals Oxford in the 2024 Boat Race after winning by three and a half lengths
  • The victors opened a comfortable lead but slowed with a stroke Matt Edge on the verge of collapse
  • All crews were warned not to enter the Thames after significant levels of E. coli were found, posing a health risk

By Andy Hooper

Published: | Updated:

Advertisement

Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For the latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER traveled to the banks of the River Thames to watch Cambridge crush Oxford in this year’s Boat Race.

Cambridge defeated their historic university rivals in the men’s race by three and a half lengths to complete a double, following victory in the women’s race.

Earlier this week, crews were warned not to enter the Thames after significant levels of E. coli were found, forcing them to take precautions and wear trainers.

After leading by more than 10 seconds, the Cambridge men slowed towards the end of their race, with Matt Edge seemingly on the verge of collapse. The stricken Edge was later carried from the boat.

Our cameraman captured the action with Nikon Z8 and Z9 cameras with 24-70mm, 70-200 and 600mm lenses.

Four-time Olympic rowing champion Sir Matthew Pinsent watched as Cambridge defeated Oxford in the 2024 Boat Race

Four-time Olympic rowing champion Sir Matthew Pinsent watched as Cambridge defeated Oxford in the 2024 Boat Race

Cambridge surged to a three-and-a-half length lead in the men's race, taking victory despite a late collapse scare

Cambridge surged to a three-and-a-half length lead in the men’s race, taking victory despite a late collapse scare

The River Thames sparkled with sunshine as both teams in the men's race put on a show for thousands of spectators

The River Thames sparkled with sunshine as both teams in the men’s race put on a show for thousands of spectators

1711952172 907 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

Sebastian Benzecry lifted the trophy after the Cambridge men crossed the line to record a memorable double

Sebastian Benzecry lifted the trophy after the Cambridge men crossed the line to record a memorable double

The victorious men and women of Cambridge posed with their respective trophies after climbing out of their boats

The victorious Cambridge men and women posed with their respective trophies after climbing out of their boats

1711952180 215 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952183 56 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

Barges full of spectators floated slowly down the river as crowds of people fixated on the drama on the water

Barges full of spectators floated slowly down the river as crowds of people fixated on the drama on the water

The Cambridge women's team started their day to remember after beating their rivals over the four-mile course

The Cambridge women’s team started their day to remember after beating their rivals over the four-mile course

The historic race starts in Putney and finishes in Mortlake, with spectators stretching for miles along both banks of the river

The historic race starts in Putney and finishes in Mortlake, with spectators stretching for miles along both banks of the river

1711952193 868 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

The crew was advised this year to wear shoes and avoid getting into the water due to high levels of E. coli

The crew was advised this year to wear shoes and avoid getting into the water due to high levels of E. coli

1711952198 210 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952201 136 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952203 626 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

Pinsent (right), who competed in the Boat Race three times, performed the toss prior to the men's race

Pinsent (right), who competed in the Boat Race three times, performed the toss prior to the men’s race

1711952208 756 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

Worryingly, Cambridge bat Matt Edge had to be stretchered from the boat after coming close to collapsing

Worryingly, Cambridge bat Matt Edge had to be stretchered from the boat after coming close to collapsing

The dejected Oxford crew slumped forward in their boats as Cambridge toasted their achievement in the background

The dejected Oxford crew slumped forward in their boats as Cambridge toasted their achievement in the background

1711952216 369 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

Cambridge showed little visible emotion after crossing the line, such was the effort required to beat their rivals

Cambridge showed little visible emotion after crossing the line, such was the effort required to beat their rivals

The male and female crew members gathered on stage to celebrate with their trophies and bottles of champagne

The male and female crew members gathered on stage to celebrate with their trophies and bottles of champagne

1711952223 76 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952226 898 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952228 668 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952231 665 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

An attempted protest by Just Stop Oil was foiled on Chiswick Bridge, with police officers intervening

An attempted protest by Just Stop Oil was foiled on Chiswick Bridge, with police officers intervening

1711952234 431 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952236 165 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952238 747 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952241 963 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952243 227 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952245 409 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952248 654 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

1711952251 294 SOUL OF SPORT Thousands flock to the River Thames to

You might also like More from author