Cambridge University Boat Club enjoyed double success on the one weekend in the year when Rowing is most in the spotlight, taking both Men’s and Women’s Boat Races on Saturday, March 30th. The previous day had seen Cambridge secure another double of winning both the Men’s and Women’s Lightweight Boat Races.
For a second year Durham ARC alumni shared in the celebrations, with Matt Edge stroking the victorious Light Blue boat on Saturday and Sam Taylor rowing in the two seat of the Lightweight eight on Friday, victory being achieved in testing conditions by 5 and a half lengths.
Conditions had improved a little by Saturday as Oxford started favourites but brilliant stroking from Matt helped Cambridge move into a good lead by the second half of a dramatic race, and despite finding himself beyond the point of exhaustion for the last of the punishing 6.8 kilometres the crew was able to maintain their lead to the finish at Chiswick Bridge to take victory by 3 and a half lengths.
After receiving medical attention Matt was able to join the victory presentation and attend the post race dinner.
Matt and Alastair Edge at the 2024 CUBC dinner
The video of the Men’s and Women’s Boat Races is available here. The Lightweight Boat Race video is here.
This year marked Sam’s second consecutive appearance for Cambridge, and second win, in the Lightweight Boat Race. He rowed with the DARC Junior squad until 2017 and is now studying for a PhD in Engineering at Clare College.
Matt’s victory was also his second in as many years in the Boat Race, following on from appearances in the Lightweight Boat Race in 2020, 2021 and 2022, tasting victory as a Lightweight in 2022. In 2023 he rowed in the bow seat of the victorious Blue boat. Matt was with the DARC Junior squad until 2018 and is now studying for a PhD in Chemistry at St Catharine’s College.
We are very proud of our alumni.