Channel 4 will broadcast the Boat Races for the first time on Saturday, taking over from the BBC in a move aimed at modernising the historic event. The races, contested by Oxford and Cambridge universities since 1829, will feature new presenters including reality TV star Jamie Laing and Paralympian Ade Adepitan alongside veteran host Clare Balding.
The BBC's decision to drop the event last October raised questions about its relevance, but organisers insist the switch will broaden its appeal. Pete Andrews, Channel 4's head of sport, said: 'It's about coming in with a new set of eyes. As a public service broadcaster we're free-to-air and we can showcase it for everyone.'
Production company FilmNova plans innovations such as a 'fantasy boat' featuring sports stars like Serena Williams and Paula Radcliffe, and more relatable comparisons for viewers. Managing director Phil Sibson said: 'We've really tried to humanise the rowers. We've taken them away from their colleges and done some fun things.'
In the women's race, Oxford seek to end eight consecutive Cambridge wins. Their president, Heidi Long, 29, won Olympic bronze in Paris 2024 and aims for gold in Los Angeles 2028. Long, whose father Keith died before the Paris Games, said: 'He believed in me from a very young age. To have parents that love you that much, it just kind of sets you free.'
The Boat Races also highlight environmental issues, with Thames Water's sewage discharges into the Thames drawing criticism. Cambridge rower Carys Earl, a medical student, described balancing training with hospital shifts: 'Sleep is not something you get to do very often.'
