In the last three years, Cambridge have dominated Oxford in the Boat Race. Including the often overlooked lightweight and reserve races (the only boats that should be seeking airtime), CUBC have won 17 out of the last 18 races. As I watched Cambridge complete its third recent clean sweep last April from Putney on the banks of the Tideway, I couldn’t help almost feeling sorry for Oxford.

Now, I am certainly no fan of losing – I may even mutter “God Damn Bloody Oxford” in my sleep – but it crossed my mind that the most recent boat races did not even feel like a competition. This is not to say that the exceptional student athletes from both clubs didn’t have to work hard, dedicating themselves from September till April and enduring countless early mornings and 5k tests (more any sane person would wish). Their fortitude is remarkable: few people can commit so completely to their sport.

But at present, Cambridge is on a completely different level to Oxford. The recent GB Men’s “Cambridge Four” illustrates this perfectly: at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, James Robson, George Bourne and Douwe De Graaf, who all recently won the 2025 Boat Race, fought off international crews to claim Gold. The quality of rowers that Cambridge produces is incredible – and I must credit Rob Baker and his team of coaches for this.

“I couldn’t help almost feeling sorry for Oxford”

But both James and George were studying here in Cambridge for an MBA – a curious degree choice for two people who have both rowed for GB in the past, and continue to do so today. Several other blue boat rowers from both Oxford and Cambridge also share international experience, but it seems that only CUBC can attract international talent and produce international winners.

I can only imagine how OUBC must be feeling: a new year, a new squad, and a new chance to turn things around. They may feel that the odds are stacked against them – losing streaks are hard to break, but for Cambridge to ‘take it easy’ one year would not provide the satisfaction or statement of strength that Oxford seeks. The rules of the Boat Race are imposed upon, yet controlled equally by, both clubs; discussions of whether the Rankov or Cracknell rules are fair or not will likely continue forever on both Rowbridge and OxRow, for only the most committed college rowers to care about.

Perhaps the success of Cambridge can be put simply down to a less temperamental river? Since moving to Ely boathouse in 2017, Cambridge have won 41 out of 49 races – a staggering increase from the 17 out of 42 in the seven years prior. The River Great Ouse, by its very design, cannot flood. Oxford can only dream of such stability, suffering from prolonged periods of flooding in recent years, which washes away any hope of winning. But can the floods really be blamed? Oxford Brookes, who continue to dominate the UK club and university rowing scene, train on the same stretch of the Thames near Wallingford – yet they show no signs of suffering.

“For Cambridge to ‘take it easy’ one year would not provide the satisfaction or statement of strength that Oxford seeks”

The recent Head of the Charles in Boston may have offered the dark blues some well needed hope. While the Cambridge men stormed to another stunning win, the Oxford women claimed 3rd place – beaten only by the US National Team and Molesley Boat Club. Crucially, they finished 22 seconds ahead of Cambridge – a significant margin, especially so early in the season. The Cambridge Women should watch out, only 19 seconds separated the CUBC & OUBC Men at Head of the Charles in 2024 – and we all remember the domination that followed.

So will the Boat Race lose its appeal if it loses this element of competition? With its recent move from BBC1 to Channel 4 (First GBBO, and now the pinnacle of GDBO…), it will be interesting to see how many people still tune in to watch it. Millions normally watch from home and hundreds of thousands watch from the banks of the Thames. Are they there to witness elite-tier rowing full of competition? Or simply to drink an inordinate – yet somehow socially acceptable - amount of Pimm’s?

As actor and ex-Blues rower Hugh Laurie puts it, ‘There’s nothing quite like winning a rowing race’ – and in case you question where my loyalties lie, I hope that Cambridge continue to win for many more years. Dominance may be a thrill, but only the enduring contest between equals will keep the Boat Race a joy for years to come.