Durham victorious in university boat race (From The Northern Echo)

Durham victorious in university boat race

8:03am Monday 12th May 2008 in

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DURHAM University rowed to victory in the 12th University Boat Race, winning all four races for the third time.

Durham and Newcastle universities competed over an 1,800 metre course on the River Tyne, watched by thousands of spectators.

Durham, which enjoyed victories in 1997 and 2004, secured its first victory in the freshwomen's eight where they put in a late charge to win by two lengths.

Durham led the freshmen's eight from the start and finished three-and-a-half lengths ahead.

The most emphatic victory was in the senior women's eight, which they won by a distance.

The closest race was the senior men's eight. Heading for the finish line, it was neck and neck, but disaster struck for Newcastle in the last seconds of the race.

Under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, they momentarily went off course, resulting in a clash of oars with the Durham boat, a setback which ultimately cost them the win, as Durham went on to cross the finish line by a length and a half.

Earlier, in the schools' race, the Newcastle boat - with junior world champion, Kieren Emery, rowing at stroke - won by a good five lengths.

Rob Stark, President of Durham University Boat Club, said: "The results are testament to our strength and depth and I'm thrilled."