The Washington times., 1909-04-03
Tens of Thousands See Dark
Blue Forge Ahead to
|, Victory.
LOSERS FAVORITES
WITH THE EXPERTS
Heavy Wagers Made Just Before
the Start Winners Time
Is 1880.

LONDON, April 5.-Upsetting
the predictions of the experts, the
dark blue of Oxford finished three
and half lengths ahead of the light
blue of Cambridge today in the an
nual race on the historical Thames
from Putney to Mortlake, a distance
of about four and one-fourth miles.
Watched by Thousands.
The race was one of the most ex-
citing IL the long history of these dual
contests and was witnessed by tens of
thousands.
The time was 19 minutes so seconds.
I minute seconds below the record
4yne for the course, made by Cam
bridge. in 1900.
The crews were as follows:
Oxford-A- c. Gladstone, bow: H. r.
Parker, 2; c. R. NJ. Cudmore. 3; A. S.
Carton, 4; D. Mackinnon. 8: ]. A. GIL
Ian, 6; A C. Kirkby, Z: R. c. Bourne,
stroke; A. w. f. Donkal coxswain.
Cambridge-R. w. Arbuthnot, bow; h
E. swanston, q G. L. Thompson. 3: H.
z. Kitching. 4; r. G. williams, .; J.
R. Rosser. 6; E. H. sornidge, Z; D. c.
r. Stuart, stroke; H D. Compston,
coxswain.
Cambridge Wins Toss.
Cambridge won the toss and chose
the Surrey side OF the rivet, giving her
q slight advantage. owing to wind and
current conditions. This advantage,
coupled with the fact that Cambridge
was the natural favorite gave the
Light Blue supporters the greatest con
fdence. despite the fact that the Ok
Onians recently rowed over the course
in the record time Of 1851. and many
big wagers were made just before the
race started.
The starting pistol was fred at 1890
with the tide slack, water smooth, and
but little wind. Stroke Stuart immed.
lately hit up a fast clip and the Cam
bridge boat shot a quarter Of a length
10 the front The Oxford lads were on
their mettIe, however. and Cambridge.
finest effort could only increase this
lead to three-fourths Of a length at tn,
end Of the first mile.
On the way to Hammersmith Bridge
the Oxford boat began 10 show its pow.
or, and by the time the bridge wa.
reached. Ia miles from the start, tn,
two crews were on even terms.
Reserve Strength.
Oxford at this stage seemed to have
more reserve strength than the Cam.
bridge rowers. The race for a half mile
here was the most desperate seen ir
years. neither boat apparently beine
able 10 gain an inch. The pace begar
10 tell on Cambridge. however, and OK
ford crept slowly ahead. amid deafenina
cheers from the banks. After gaining q
half lengths lead, oxford lost her ad-
vantage by being hindered by one of thc
spectators barges.
This threw the crews on even term,
again. buL oxford now thoroughly awar,
Of her superiority, fought desperately
ana az "a miles, had regained a lead
OF half 4 length.
Cambridge was evidently tiring. anc
when Barnes bridge was reached. which
marked the last stretch Of the race. the
oxford boat began 70 forge rapidly
ahead
Oxford spurted Unexpectedly immedi
ately after passing Barnes Bridge and
then before Cambridge could recover
the dark blue was two lengths ahead
From then on there was nothing 10 the
race but Oxford. With victory assured
fht big men IN the oxford shell ben
their backs 10 their blades, and sent the
boat cutting through the water at
Continued on Second Page.)