The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-04
CAMBRIDGE WON.
Led Oxford at the Finish in the An
nual Boat Race.

Putney, England, April 4.-For the
third year in succession Cambridge
won today the Varsity race, defeating
oxford by the handsome margin of
about 2 " lengths. The light blues
the Cambridge crew-fully justified
the confidence reposed in them by the
riverside experts and forged to the
'front.' from the crack of the pistol and
led from start to finish.
The result was never in doubt, In
spite of the advantage of the dark
blues-the Oxford men-in winning
the toss, which enabled them to choose
the Surrey side of the river and thus
escape much of the heavy water at
the start. The extra stamina of the
Cambridge men quickly sent the nose
of their boat ahead and enabled them
to assume lead which they held
comfortably to the end.
The official time of the race is 10
minutes, 10 seconds.
The record is Is minutes and AZ
seconds, established by Oxford in
1893 and equalled by Cambridge in
1900.
The time last year was 20 minutes
and 26 seconds.
Putney, England, April 4.-The 65th
boat race between crews of the Uni
versities Of Oxford and Cambridge is
to take place this afternoon over the
same course on the Thames, from Put
ney to Mortlake, where it has been
rowed for more than 60 years. The
contest brought out the customary
crowds of enthusiasts and long before
the race started the banks of the river,
from start to finish. were lined by the
people. They also massed themselves
on the bridges spanning the Thames
and on the roofs of the buildings that
afforded view of the river. All sorts
OF river craft, house boats, launches
and rowboats of every description. were
moored along the sides Of the stream.
The day opened dark and cold and
there was a threat Of rain in the air.
northwest wind roughened the wa
ter and promised to make the course
difficult
Although the race is not scheduled
to start until half past people began
gathering from all directions as soon
as it was daylight. They came by boat,
by train, by trolley and on foot and
took up their position at points of
vantage.
Cambridge was a strong favorite in
the betting which was to to in her
favor. Her smartness in getting off
in practice led every one to expect her
to take the lead at the start and the
Cambridge crew has shown also the
best staying powers.
Both crews appeared for short prac-
tice spins before noon to test their
boats. They were warmly cheered.
Inc Cambridge crew Is using the same
boat with which 1t won in 1907. The
Oxford crew received much chaffing
because Of it's recent secret trial over
the course, a performance that was
met by tremendous storm of protest
from the newspapers and from the pub
lie as violation of all amateur sport
ing traditions.
Both crews were training over the
course for some three weeks before the
event and their trials have been watch
ed with great interest Cambridge was
a strong cavorite at the beginning, and
was expected to repeat her victories of
1906 and 1907. AS the season progresses
Oxford made an unexpectedly good
showing and her chances were appar-
emily brighter than in the beginning.
Each crew was stroked by veteran
and each had two other old men be-
sides the coxswain. The Cambridge
style as shown in training gave them
extraordinary pace for short dis
lance. while that of Oxford seemed to
produce more life on the boat and more
pace in the long run.