Sport: The 100th Race

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In England, the crew race between Oxford and Cambridge is called The Boat Race; no other identification is necessary. Last week, on the eve of the 100th race between the universities. "Old Blues," i.e., letterman oarsmen from Oxford (dark blue) and Cambridge (light blue), swapped legends.

Oxonians take pride in the fact that Oxford won the first Boat Race in 1829. For that race, rowed in long, whaleboat-like shells. Oxford turned up in straw hats, dark blue striped jerseys and canvas trousers, while Cambridge added a gentle note with pink sashes. But from 1829 to modern times, the advantage has been Cambridge's. Between 1924 and 1937 the light blue was unbeaten for 13 straight years. Last week, with the series standing at 54 for Cambridge, 44 for Oxford, and a dead heat in 1877, heavier (by 5 Ibs. a man) Cambridge was favored to make it 55-44.

Half a million Britons lined the banks of the U-shaped Thames River course, jammed rooftops and windows, even clustered in treetops for just a short glimpse of the shells. The crowd broke into spontaneous cheers as underdog Oxford, favored by toss and its choice of the largely inside (Surrey) bank, broke into the lead at the halfway mark. From then on. while Cambridge floundered in the choppy water in midstream. Oxford pulled steadily ahead, won by a handy 4½ lengths.

After the race, jubilant Old" Dark Blues pounded winning Oxonian shoulders until they ached. The Cambridge coxswain, soberly directing his crew as they shouldered their shell into the boathouse, had the last word: "Come back next year."