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Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and most famous universities in Britain, and there has always been a great rivalry between the two institutions. But the most public competition between the two is the annual Boat Race. Both universities are located near rivers, and rowing is a popular and prestigious sport. The very first race took place in 1829, when a Cambridge student challenged a school-friend studying at Oxford. Ever since, the defeated team from the previous year challenges the opposition to a rematch. The only times when no Boat Races took place were during the First and Second World Wars. The race is between two crews of eight rowers, each led by a pilot, who steers and gives commands to the rowers. Since 1836, the rowing eights have worn different shades of blue - Oxford wear dark blue and Cambridge light blue. As a result, the rowers are known as the Blues. |