# Oxford and Cambridge Cup

The Oxford and Cambridge Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Australian University Championship Men's Eight (formerly the Australian Universities Boat Race), and is competed for annually at the Australian University Games or the Australian University Rowing Championships (in either case, commonly known as the Inter-Varsity). It is the oldest inter-University competition in Australia. The cup is awarded to the winning men's Eight over a standard 2,000m course (1.24 miles).
The trophy was donated in 1893 by Old Blues of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The original boat race was conducted over a 'Thames Putney Mortlake' equivalent course, which varied between 2 miles and 3+1⁄2 miles depending on location and conditions.

## History

The first Australian Universities Boat Race was raced in 1888 on the Yarra River, between the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The trophy was organised by Dr Edmond Warre, Headmaster of Eton College and former President of the Oxford University Boat Club. He suggested to the Old Blues of Oxford and Cambridge that a trophy be donated for Inter-University Eight competition in order to foster a continuing interest in the young competition. In an 1890 letter to Frederick Halcomb (Captain of the Adelaide University Boat Club) he states that "the idea was accepted by them with alacrity" and that they were "proud of the opportunity afforded them of showing their brotherhood, goodwill and interest in the welfare of their kinsmen in the antipodes”. The cup was sent out to Australia in time for the 1893 competition, where it was competed for and won by Melbourne.
The cup features scenes in bas-relief of Cambridge, Oxford, rowers and the floral emblems of the countries of England, Scotland and Wales. The Angel on the top is pictured in the traditional pose of the Toast to Rowing. This long standing and traditional toast is afforded the winners of the Grand Challenge Cup.

## Inter-Varsity competition

The Australian Universities Boat Race began in 1870 when four oared crews representing Sydney and Melbourne Universities competed over a three-and-a-half-mile course on the Yarra River (Melbourne). Members of the crews also took part in the first cricket match between the two universities. The first race was won by Melbourne in 31 minutes and 4 seconds. The 2-man of the losing Sydney crew was Edmund Barton, who went on to become the first Prime Minister of Australia.
The first eight oared race between Australian Universities was conducted in 1888. Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide Universities met on the Hombourg reach course of the Yarra River. Melbourne was recorded as having won by 5 lengths over Adelaide and a similar distance to third place Sydney. Adelaide achieved its first win in 1889 at their home course on the Port River, and again in 1896 when stroked by famed South Australian oarsman W.H. Gosse. Sydney's first win was in 1890.
In 1920, Queensland University entered a crew for the first time. The crew came third. Queensland steadily improved and, under the leadership of stroke E.B. Freeman, went on to win the 1922 and 1923 boat races.
The University of Tasmania boated its first inter-varsity crew in 1924. The Taswegians took the trophy home the following year in 1925. This crew, stroked by R.A. Scott, defeated the highly fancied Sydney crew on the Brisbane River.
The University of Western Australia followed their interstate brethren and boated their first crew in 1927. This crew, stroked by F.A. Williams, took the cup home in their debut race.
With the development of tertiary education in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s it was not long before numerous additional universities sought entry into the boat race. In 1956 New South Wales, 1963 Monash, 1966 Australian National and Newcastle, 1969 La Trobe and 1973 Macquarie Universities gained entry. The Australian higher education reforms of the early 1990s opened the door for many former Technical Colleges and Colleges of Advanced Education to enter the boat race for the first time.
1968 was the last year that the race was held over the traditional 'Thames Putney Mortlake' equivalent course. Due to increasing pressure for a standardised course distance, fairer courses, and the increasing focus of state and national programs on the Olympic distance, delegates from the competing University Boat Clubs of 1968 voted that all future races be conducted over a 2,000m course from 1969 onward.

## Results by Year

| Date | Venue | Distance | Winner | Runner Up | Time | Margin |
| 6 October 1888 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Melbourne | Adelaide | 13:05 | 4 lengths |
| 21 December 1889 | Port River, SA | 2.5 mi | Adelaide | Melbourne | 18:06 | 3 lengths |
| 14 June 1890 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 13:48 | 5 lengths |
| 4 April 1891 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 17:21 | 4 lengths |
| 23 April 1892 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 17:21 | 6 feet |
| 8 April 1893 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 16:05 | 2.5 lengths |
| 28 April 1894 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 17:00 | 10 lengths |
| 11 May 1895 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:45 | 6 lengths |
| 2 May 1896 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Adelaide | Sydney | 20:41 | 6 lengths |
| 22 May 1897 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 18:08 | 4 lengths |
| 4 June 1898 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Sydney | Adelaide | 18:07 | 6 lengths |
| 10 June 1899 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 23:02 | 5 lengths |
| 2 June 1900 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Adelaide | 17:01 | 54 seconds |
| 15 June 1901 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 16:48 | 0.5 lengths |
| 14 June 1902 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 16:44 | 3 lengths |
| 6 June 1903 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:36 | 5 lengths |
| 4 June 1904 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Melbourne | Adelaide | 18:01 | 3 lengths |
| 10 June 1905 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Sydney | Adelaide | 17:37 | 5 lengths |
| 9 June 1906 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 15:15 | 3 lengths |
| 9 June 1907 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:53 | 2 lengths |
| 6 June 1908 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:45 | 2 lengths |
| 9 June 1909 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:50 | 5 lengths |
| 7 June 1910 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Adelaide | Sydney | 17:35 | 4 lengths |
| 10 June 1911 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 16:29 | 1.5 lengths |
| 1 June 1912 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 17:00 | 3 lengths |
| 7 June 1913 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 15:11 | 6 lengths |
| 6 June 1914 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Melbourne | Adelaide | 17:46 | 7 lengths |
| 1915–1918 | World War I – No competition | World War I – No competition | World War I – No competition | World War I – No competition | World War I – No competition | World War I – No competition |
| 29 August 1919 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi 167yd | Melbourne | Sydney | 19:34.5 | 3 lengths |
| 29 May 1920 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Adelaide | Melbourne | 14:53 | 1.5 lengths |
| 31 May 1921 | Brisbane River, QLD | 3 mi | Melbourne | Queensland | 17:23 | 1 length |
| 3 June 1922 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Queensland | Melbourne | 17:21 | 4 lengths |
| 1 June 1923 | Parramatta River, NSW | 3 mi 167yd | Queensland | Adelaide | 17:43 | 4 lengths |
| 31 May 1924 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Melbourne | Queensland | 16:14 | 0.5 length |
| 6 June 1925 | Brisbane River, QLD | 3 mi | Tasmania | Sydney | 17:56 | 2.5 lengths |
| 3 June 1926 | Huon River, TAS | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | ? | 3/4 length |
| 4 June 1927 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Western Australia | Melbourne | 19:30 | 1.5 lengths |
| 2 June 1928 | Mannum, SA | 3 mi | Western Australia | Melbourne | 16:43 | 2 lengths |
| 1 June 1929 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Melbourne | Adelaide | 14:27 | 3.5 lengths |
| 7 June 1930 | Swan River, WA | 3 mi | Western Australia | Adelaide | 19:57 | 3/4 length |
| 3 June 1931 | Brisbane River, QLD | 3 mi | Sydney | Queensland | 17:40 | 12 lengths |
| 1932 | Huon River, TAS | 3 mi | Western Australia | Sydney | 17:19 | 5 lengths |
| 3 June 1933 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Adelaide | 16:29 | 2 lengths |
| 2 June 1934 | Mannum, SA | 3 mi | Adelaide | Sydney | 15:30 | 7 lengths |
| 8 June 1935 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.5 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:17 | 1/3 length |
| 6 June 1936 | Swan River, WA | 2 mi | Sydney | Western Australia | 12:30 | 3 lengths |
| 5 June 1937 | Brisbane River, QLD | 3 mi | Sydney | Tasmania | 17:00 | 2.5 lengths |
| 4 June 1938 | Huon River, TAS | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:44 | 1.5 lengths |
| 3 June 1939 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 16:38 | 1.5 lengths |
| 1 June 1940 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 16:57 | 4 lengths |
| 1941–1945 | World War II – No competition | World War II – No competition | World War II – No competition | World War II – No competition | World War II – No competition | World War II – No competition |
| 8 June 1946 | Mannum, SA | 3 mi | Melbourne | Adelaide | 17:58 | 1 length |
| 7 June 1947 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 16:51 | 1.5 lengths |
| 5 June 1948 | Swan River, WA | 2 mi | Sydney | Western Australia | 12:11 | Unknown |
| 5 June 1949 | Brisbane River, QLD | <2 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 11:00 | 2 lengths |
| 3 June 1950 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 10:50 | 3 lengths |
| 30 May 1951 | Huon River, TAS | 3 mi | = Melbourne | = Sydney | 14:46 | Dead heat |
| 7 June 1952 | Murray Bridge, SA | 3 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 17:21 | 2.5 lengths |
| 5 June 1953 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Western Australia | 16:13 | 0.5 lengths |
| 5 June 1954 | Swan River, WA | 2 mi | Melbourne | Western Australia | 11:38 | 1.5 lengths |
| 4 June 1955 | Brisbane River, QLD | 3 mi | Melbourne | Queensland | 17:54.5 | 8 lengths |
| 2 June 1956 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.25 mi | Melbourne | Western Australia | 13:07 | 4 lengths |
| 7 June 1957 | Derwent River, TAS | 3 mi | Melbourne | Queensland | 15:31 | 2 lengths |
| 1958 | Port River, SA | 3 mi | Queensland | Melbourne | 17:48 | 4.75 lengths |
| 30 May 1959 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Queensland | Sydney | 16:05.5 | 0.25 lengths |
| 1 June 1960 | Swan River, WA | 2 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 10:21.8 | 2 lengths |
| 27 May 1961 | Brisbane River, QLD | 2 mi | Sydney | New South Wales | 11:05 | 4 lengths |
| 26 May 1962 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:30 | 0.75 lengths |
| 25 May 1963 | Lower Yarra, VIC | 2.25 mi | Melbourne | Sydney | 12:14.5 | 4 lengths |
| 30 May 1964 | Huon River, TAS | 2.25 mi | Sydney | Melbourne | 15:39 | 5.4 sec |
| 1965 | No competition | No competition | No competition | No competition | No competition | No competition |
| 28 May 1966 | Mannum, SA | 3 mi | Tasmania | New South Wales | 16:10 | 2 lengths |
| 27 May 1967 | Nepean River, NSW | 3 mi | Melbourne | Tasmania | 15:55.1 | 0.75 lengths |
| 25 May 1968 | Canning River, WA | 2 mi 88' | Melbourne | Adelaide | 10:05.3 | 0.5 sec |
| 31 May 1969 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | 6:26.9 | 1 length |
| 23 May 1970 | Lake Burley Griffin, ACT | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | 6:38.9 | 1.75 lengths |
| 22 May 1971 | Lake Kurwongbah, QLD | 2000m | Monash | Sydney | 6:35.0 | 0.1 sec |
| 27 May 1972 | Taree, NSW | 2000m | Monash | Sydney | 7:33.0 | 1.25 lengths |
| 19 May 1973 | Mildura, VIC | 2000m | Monash | Melbourne | 5:31.2 | 0.05 sec |
| 25 May 1974 | Nepean River, NSW | 2000m | Adelaide | Melbourne | 5:39.4 | 5.0 sec |
| 17 May 1975 | Huon River, TAS | 2000m | Melbourne | Tasmania | 5:57.4 | 3.0 sec |
| 15 May 1976 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Tasmania | Adelaide | 6:21.6 | 1 length |
| 22 May 1977 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Melbourne | Adelaide | 6:39 | 0.75 lengths |
| 20 May 1978 | Nepean River, NSW | 2000m | Monash | Adelaide | 5:58.1 | 5.5 sec |
| 19 May 1979 | Hinze Dam, QLD | 2000m | Adelaide | Sydney | 6:01 | 2.3 sec |
| 17 May 1980 | Lake Burley Griffin, ACT | 1800m | Melbourne | Sydney | 5:31.9* | 1.9 sec |
| 16 May 1981 | Canning River, WA | 2000m | Melbourne | Queensland | 6:13.1 | 1.8 sec |
| 15 May 1982 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | 6:22.0 | 5.1 sec |
| 21 May 1983 | Middle Harbour, NSW | 2000m | Sydney | New South Wales | 5:58.4 | 7.8 sec |
| 19 May 1984 | Lake Barrington, TAS | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | 6:11.56 | 1.96 sec |
| 18 May 1985 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Monash | 6:25.03 | 6.3 sec |
| 17 May 1986 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Tasmania | Melbourne | 6:41.34 | 1.73 sec |
| 1987 | Nepean River, NSW | 2000m | Monash | Sydney | 6:03.0 | 7.5 sec |
| 14 May 1988 | Lake Wivenhoe, QLD | 2000m | Melbourne | Monash | 6:18.0 | 4.0 sec |
| 8 July 1989 | Carrum, VIC | 2000m | Monash | Melbourne | 6:22.7 | 6.0 sec |
| 7 July 1990 | Lake Wivenhoe, QLD | 2000m | Queensland | Adelaide | 5:55.5 | 1.2 sec |
| 5 October 1991 | Nepean River, NSW | 2000m | Queensland | Melbourne | 6:12.36 | 8.10 sec |
| 3 October 1992 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Queensland | Adelaide | 6:48.99 | 7.0 sec |
| 2 October 1993 | Wellington Dam, WA | 2000m | Sydney | Tasmania | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1 October 1994 | Lake Barrington, TAS | 2000m | Tasmania | Sydney | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1995 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Queensland | 5:53.95 | 2.5 lengths |
| 2 October 1996 | Lake Burley Griffin, ACT | 1800m | U.T.S. | Adelaide | 5.38.26* | 3.3 sec |
| 4 October 1997 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Western Australia | U.T.S. | 5:54.21 | 5.15 sec |
| 3 October 1998 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Western Australia | Melbourne | 5:49.95 | 3.35 sec |
| 1999 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 October 2000 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Melbourne | Monash | Unknown | Unknown |
| 28 September 2001 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Melbourne | Sydney | 5:55.93 | 0.53 sec |
| 2002 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | U.T.S. | Melbourne | 5:53.07 | 0.43 sec |
| 4 October 2003 | Lake Wivenhoe, QLD | 2000m | U.T.S. | Sydney | 5:41.0 | 0.75 lengths |
| 2004 | Lake Barrington, TAS | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 5:57.20 | 3.18 sec |
| September 2005 | Hinze Dam, QLD | 2000m | Sydney | Queensland | 5:51.62 | 3.08 sec |
| 30 September 2006 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 5:51.76 | 0.64 sec |
| 29 September 2007 | Hinze Dam, QLD | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 6:13.00 | 7.97 sec |
| 3 October 2008 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Queensland | Sydney | 6:56.03 | 4.95 sec |
| 3 October 2009 | Lake Burley Griffin, ACT | 1800m | Adelaide | Sydney | 5:10.09 | 3.39 sec |
| 1 October 2010 | Champion Lakes, WA | 2000m | Adelaide | Sydney | 5:47.9 | 0.6 sec |
| 30 September 2011 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Melbourne | Adelaide | 6:20.37 | 11.1 sec |
| 28 September 2012 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Adelaide | Melbourne | 6:02.27 | 11.8 sec |
| 4 October 2013 | Lake Wendouree, VIC | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 5:57.97 | 7.02 sec |
| 3 October 2014 | Penrith Lakes, NSW | 2000m | Sydney | Monash | 5:59.40 | 3.57 sec |
| 2 October 2015 | West Lakes, SA | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 6:16.40 | 11.05 sec |
| 30 September 2016 | Champion Lakes, WA | 2000m | Adelaide | Sydney | 5:43.35 | 1.25 sec |
| 29 September 2017 | Wyaralong Dam, QLD | 2000m | Sydney | Melbourne | 6.02.29 | 3.3 sec |
| 27 September 2018 | Wyaralong Dam, QLD | 2000m | Sydney | Melbourne | 5:43.53 | 6.44 sec |
| 3 October 2019 | Wyaralong Dam, QLD | 2000m | U.T.S. | Sydney | 5:49.85 | 3.37 sec |
| 2020-2021 | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition | COVID-19 pandemic - No competition |
| 28 September 2022 | Champion Lakes, WA | 2000m | Sydney | U.T.S. | 6:05.05 | 1.13 sec |
| 27 September 2023 | Wyaralong Dam, QLD | 2000m | Sydney | Adelaide | 5:41.74 | 4.38 sec |
| 13 September 2024 | Lake Burley Griffin, ACT | 1800m | U.T.S. | Sydney | 5:26.28 | 8.74 sec |

### Running total

The Oxford and Cambridge Cup has been won by eight universities since the inception of the competition. Melbourne and Sydney Universities have dominated, between them winning about two-thirds of the time. It has been won at least once by every state, but neither of the territories. All of Australia's "sandstone universities" have won the cup, and of the Group of Eight universities, the University of New South Wales is the only one not yet to have achieved a win.
The 125th race was conducted in 2024.
| Rank | University | Times winner | Times runner up | First win | Last win |
| 1 | Melbourne | 43 | 35 | 1888 | 2011 |
| 2 | Sydney | 42 | 39 | 1890 | 2023 |
| 3 | Adelaide | 11 | 25 | 1889 | 2016 |
| 4 | Queensland | 8 | 8 | 1922 | 2008 |
| 5 | Western Australia | 6 | 5 | 1927 | 1998 |
| 6 | Monash | 6 | 4 | 1971 | 1989 |
| 7 | Tasmania | 5 | 4 | 1925 | 1994 |
| 8 | U.T.S. | 5 | 2 | 1996 | 2024 |