The Boat Race 1849 (December)
| 10th Boat Race | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 15 December 1849 | ||
| Winner | Oxford | ||
| Margin of victory | Cambridge disqualified | ||
| Winning time | No time | ||
| Overall record (Cambridge–Oxford) |
7–3 | ||
| Umpire |
Mr Fellowes (Leander Club) |
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The 10th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 15 December 1849. Typically held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The race was won by Oxford who triumphed over Cambridge after they were disqualified. It is the only time the Boat Race has been held twice in a calendar year, and as of 2017 remains the only time the event has been decided as a result of a disqualification.
The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). The race was first held in 1829, and since 1845 has taken place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London.
Cambridge had beaten Oxford "easily" in the race earlier that year. It was as a result of the manner of the defeat, and with doubts over the construction of the Oxford boat that they issued a challenge to Cambridge University Boat Club in October to race again in December. The invitation to race was "immediately accepted." Cambridge held the overall lead, with seven victories to Oxford's two.
Oxford's crew contained four rowers who had featured in the previous race in March, with Chitty, Steward, Sykes and Rich returning for the Dark Blues. Cambridge welcomed back five rowers and the cox, George Booth. The difference in weight between the crews was marginal, Oxford's rowers weighing an average of just under 11 st 6 lb (72.4 kg) were 0.125 pounds (0.06 kg) per man heavier than Cambridge.
Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, leaving Cambridge with Surrey. Weather conditions were poor: rain and a strong wind provided a "pitiless pelting" to spectators and the crews alike. Although pre-race betting indicated no clear favourite, the high winds were thought to provide Cambridge with a slight advantage "as their style of rowing was deemed to be more suitable to stormy weather" and so the Light Blues went into the race as marginal favourites.
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