Oxford Win Double in the 2009 Boat Race

It was a fine weekend for Oxford University Boat Club as they stormed home in the Isis - Goldie race and The Boat Race, by considerable margins in both. This was the second year in a row that Oxford have completed the coveted double - some referring to this year as 'the Double-Double'.

The 155th Race was won by three-and-a-half lengths in a time of 17mins exactly. Cambridge came in 12 seconds behind, giving Oxford victory in the last 4 out of 5 races. As Peter Drury, race commentator stated: 'the first decade of the 21st century is shaded ineradicably Dark Blue'.

There was a surprise result in the reserves Isis - Goldie race half an hour before the main race where Isis defeated Goldie by four lengths. Both crews got off to a clean start with Isis quickly establishing a 3/4 lead along the line of Boats. Isis, on Middlesex then took advantage of their bend to clear Goldie by Fulham Football club, they then pushed out to clear water down the Mile Post straight, and from there on in extending their lead to four lengths by the finish line. This was a surprise to most close with the race as it was this reserve race which Cambridge were favourites to win. Oxford would not have known of this victory as they prepared for the main race but am sure would have taken much confidence knowing their colleagues, as underdogs, had defeated Goldie.

In the main race, Oxford's victory over Cambridge was somewhat reminiscent of last year. Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey, indicating that they believed they would have a fast start and hopefully win the race in the middle on the long surrey bend. Cambridge had a poor start as commentator Tim Foster acknowledged, this was due to some miscommunication between cox Rebecca Dowbiggin and her crew. Dowbiggin raised her hand just as the umpire started the race. This not only confused her crew but the Boat veered off at an angle. They retaliated by drawing back level, only for Oxford to move ahead on their bend and along the Mile Post straight in a time which was only three seconds outside the record.

Cambridge put up some fight towards Hammersmith Bridge, drawing back level with Oxford and then taking seats on the apex of their bend. The official time at Hammersmith gave the Light Blues a 0.7 second advantage. However the cool, and calm Dowbiggin (in voice) was overly aggressive and hard on the rudder as both crews approached and came under Hammersmith, resulting in a clash just before St Pauls School. The aerial shots showed Oxford's cox Colin Groshong holding his water firmly as Cambridge 'Pinballed' off their strokeside. Oxford at this point sensed Cambridge tiring and pounced.

This moment came along the Chiswick Eyot where Groshong called a big effort from his heavyweights and, reminiscent of Oxford's 2008 crew, passed Chiswick Steps two seconds in the lead with their favourable Middlesex section of the Race ahead of them. They took full advantage of their station and drew away quickly having a two length lead at the Bandstand, nearly three lengths at Barnes Bridge and an official 3 ½ lengths at the Finish in a time of exactly 17 minutes.

This brings the total race tally to 75 to Oxford, 79 to Cambridge. Oxford President and 2-seat Colin Smith said: "We made a couple of really good decisions and stuck to a strong, aggressive strategy. The difference between the two crews was our power, aggression and stickability. All the way along I knew we had good strength and it would take a lot to break us, and that really showed today."

Next year’s Boat Race will take place on Easter Saturday 3 April 2010 at 16:30.

Why Xchanging Sponsors the Boat Race

The Boat Race is becoming a closer fought contest with each passing year. The margin between the winning and losing crew is constantly narrowing; these 'margins' are not always reflected in the finish line verdict on race day. They are largely decided by the months of training and preparation put in during the build up to race day. Both clubs are constantly finding innovative ways to get their boats faster, whether this is down to their physical preparation, their mental training in the build up, or through investment in the latest equipment and highest quality coaching staff – it all counts when finding the vital inches that make the difference between winning and losing. It is this professional approach, and such phenomenally high standards that we at Xchanging are so proud to be associated with.

Training for the Boat Race is their business, in ours the margin between winning and losing is just as tight. Competing companies with similar capabilities are also constantly looking for that elusive element that makes them the winner. Businesses need to pull together as a cohesive unit, as a single team. Winning businesses plan and prepare as a team and they actively search for those inches. They train and rehearse to ensure they execute with a common purpose. This is vital as competitive pressures increase year-on-year, just as it is for the Boat Race crews.

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