Fierce Rowing Competition Near At Hand For The Annual Boat Race

Watch as the world revels in this test of strength and skill.

18:50 28 March 2013

There is a tradition so old it has been done since the year 1829: a tradition of pitting the best rowing crew against its equal in the definitive test for strength, endurance, and skill.

 

This year the Oxford and Cambridge universities once again take to the water, each with hopes of claiming ultimate bragging rights for the best rowing team.

 

The Annual Boat Race of 2013 will mark the 159th race of its kind. Here are the positions of the two crews slated to compete:

 

•    Bowmen—American Patrick Close of Pembroke competes for Oxford against American Grant Wilson, also of Pembroke, for Cambridge

 

•    Strokemen—Canadian Malcolm Howard of Oriel competes for Oxford against American Niles Garratt of Huges Hall for Cambridge

 

•    Coxswain—Columbian American Oskar Zorrilla of St. Hughes competes for Oxford against British Henry Fieldman of Homerton

 

The Annual Boat Race, also known as the BNY Mellon Boat Race is scheduled to occur on the 31st of March in London. The event is typically televised and nearly a quarter million people show up to view the event live as well.

 

The past records for the races lean in favour of Cambridge, but they have a new coach Steve Trapmore, who has been with the team only three years as opposed to the Oxford coach Sean Bowden who has been the Chief Coach for 14 years, going on 15.

 

The Oxford rowing colour has been dark blue since the inception of the event in 1829 while Cambridge wears light blue. Here are the past wins for the Annual Boat Race:

 

•    Cambridge—81 wins

 

•    Oxford—76 wins

 

It remains to be seen how these teams will fare in this year’s Annual Boat Race. The BBC will be streaming live coverage on its website and will also have it available to re-watch.

 

Be aware of the potential risks involved with online betting and online gambling.