Cambridge and Oxford ready to do battle in Boat Race 2026
Both men's and women's crews are set to square off this afternoon
After months of training, we'll find out if Cambridge or Oxford have what it takes to come out on top in today's Boat Races.
Both Cambridge's men's and women's crews go into the races on the River Thames as defending champions, as Oxford seek revenge for defeat a year ago.
"It's been a long road; we've had some incredibly tight results, so we've had multiple re-dos and people have been fighting hard for this opportunity," Paddy Ryan, women's coach at Cambridge University Boat Club, said.
"You get ill or injured at the wrong time, that opportunity disappears (and) you do your best to make sure everyone gets a fair chance; they've been through the crucible as you might say."
The women's light blues bid for a 50th win in this event against the old enemy, while the men look to go four wins in a row.
"We've always got to think we're trying to improve and if we're not, we're standing still and if you're standing still, you're going backwards," Rob Baker, Cambridge men's coach, said.
"When we're winning, there's a belief in the system so working with those new athletes, they're willing to do what we want them to do."
Meanwhile, the Oxford men and women say they have been working hard to break Cambridge's winning streak.
Harry Geffen, a four-time under-23s world champion, will be in the stroke seat for the dark blues.
"It's a black and white outcome and Oxford's been on the wrong end of it for the last few years so we're doing everything we can to change that. It's exciting," he said.
The Oxford women will be led by Heidi Long, another decorated British rower who secured a bronze medal at the most recent Olympics as well as a gold in the 2022 World Championships.
She is hoping to use her expertise and that of her team to carry them to victory.
"I take pride in looking back at some of the stuff I've done before and using that to keep building on the rhythm and we've got some amazing athletes in this squad - including other internationals," Heidi said.
"I think bringing those perspectives from around the world and different levels of rowing experience gives us something which is very unique."
Heidi also hopes to put on a strong performance in honour of her father who passed away before the Paris Olympics.
"He's a huge inspiration to me, even now he's not here with us, and I think one of the biggest things was his positive attitude," she said. "I really want to try and take that into the way I lead this team."
The women will be setting off on the 4.25-mile stretch from Putney to Mortlake at 2:21pm, followed by the men at 3:21pm.