Johnian helps Cambridge storm to victory in the Boat Race 2016

The boys in light blue claimed victory over Oxford by two-and-a-half lengths in the 162^nd Boat Race on Sunday, with the women valiantly battling on to the finish line despite the choppy waters of the Thames almost sinking their boat. Both teams featured members of St John's.

The Boat Race 2016 drew huge crowds to the banks of the Thames in West London where the race took place between the Putney and Chiswick Bridges.

The race featured two talented rowers from the student body at St John’s College: Charles Fisher, who is in his second year studying History and Fiona Macklin, who is also in her fourth year studying Modern and Medieval Languages.

After winning the toss, the Cambridge men’s team selected the Surrey Station side in the hope of faring better than their rivals against the difficult south wind.

Both crews set off at an impressive pace, but Cambridge took an early lead and continued to extend their advantage throughout the race.

Charles Fisher said: "Competing in and winning the Boat Race was a truly humbling moment and it's a great honour to be part of this tradition that stretches back to the first race in 1829"

"The final few weeks in the build up to the race were filled with both nervousness and anticipation, but we went in on the day with confidence in our ability, which was ultimately justified."

The women’s race earlier in the day took a dramatic turn when difficult conditions on the river caused the Cambridge crew’s boat to become submerged in water. Rather than give up and await rescue, the women earned praise from around the world for bravely battling on to the finish line.

This year marked the second time the women’s race has been broadcast live and held over the same stretch of the Thames as the men’s, representing a big step forward in equality for the sport.

John’s student Fiona Macklin was maintaining a proud family tradition of rowing by competing in the race: her grandfather David Macklin was a member of the winning crew in the 1951 Boat Race and went on to represent Great Britain in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki.

The Lady Margaret Boat Club at St John’s College is one of the largest and most consistently successful boat clubs in the country. Find out more at: http://www.ladymargaretboatclub.org/