Oxford beats Harvard in the first international boat race (1869)

In August 1869, Oxford defeated Harvard in the first international university boat race. The contest occurred on the tidal Thames near London, correcting the legacy location error. Oxford narrowly won the coxed fours race on the established Championship Course.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Championship Course is a stretch of the River Thames between Mortlake and Putney in London. It is a well-established course for rowing races, particularly the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. The course is on the tidal reaches of the river often referred to as the Tideway.

Challenge. In April 1869, the Harvard University Boat Club challenged the Oxford University Boat Club to an International University Boat-Race. The contest was scheduled for coxed fours on the Boat Race course, setting the stage for the first international university rowing competition.

Outcome. The race took place on 27 August 1869. Oxford narrowly won the contest against Harvard. This event marked the first international university boat race, held on the tidal Thames near London rather than at Oxford.

People involved

Sources

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