"This historic event captures the extremes of emotion that follow success and failure in sport and business - unbridled elation or bitter disappointment" David Andrews.

• Xchanging becomes title sponsor of the Boat Race
• Watch the 2009 Boat Race
• The 2009 Boat Race
• Boat Race Gallery 2009
• The Weigh In
• Cambridge vs 'Super Eight'
• Oxford vs Molesey
• Cambridge vs Leander
• Crew Announcement
• Oxford vs University of Washington
• Duke of Edinburgh at CUBC
• The Squads
• Fours Head Report
• Trial Eights Report
• Trial VIIIs 2008 Video
• Media Guide 1
• Media Guide 2
• Location Map
• 2008 Boat Race Video
• Official Web Site

Oxford University comfortably dispose the University of Washington on the Tideway

In the first race in this year's new Blue boat, Oxford twice came from behind to beat a strong eight from the University of Washington, Seattle, in an exciting fixture on the Tideway course.

The contest began with a recall by Boat Race Umpire Boris Rankov after Washington had a blatant false start from the University stone. Once the race finally got underway, Washington were up by half a length before the Fulham wall, but Oxford powered back and were some four to five lengths ahead by the finish at Chiswick Steps.

In a second race from the top of the Chiswick Eyot to the finish at Mortlake, Oxford again proved too strong and ended more than two lengths clear after Washington had taken an early lead.

Earlier, Professor Sir John Bell, the Oxford University Boat Club Senior Member, had named the new Dark Blue boat campaign.ox.ac.uk to mark the University's 'Oxford Thinking' campaign.