Commencing with drinks and a delicious three-course lunch, we charged up for the afternoon of rowing action waiting to unfold before our eyes. Throwing open our windows, we gladly witnessed our women take an early lead, which developed into a length’s advantage by Craven Cottage. Turning to our television screen, we cheered them through to their ultimate triumph five lengths ahead of the dark blues.
Studying our men’s crew, it transpired that – by wonderful good fortune – earlier in the academic year Cambridge had discovered that one of their MPhil students happened to be a two-time Olympic rowing champion. James Cracknell and our other lads duly powered themselves to victory.
Along with the reserve races, those of us watching last year were left with a pleasing sense of déjà vu as Cambridge once again achieved a perfect four victories out of four.