Oxford and Cambridge Cup
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The Oxford and Cambridge Cup was donated in 1893 by Old Blues of Oxford and Cambridge Universities for competition between Eights at the Australian Universities Boat Race. The original boat race was conducted over a 'Thames Putney Mortlake' equivalent course, which varied between 2 miles and 3½ miles depending on location and conditions.
The Oxford and Cambridge Cup is now competed for on an annual basis by Australian Universities at the Australian Universities Rowing Championships (Inter-varsity) or combined programme of the Australian University Games. The cup is awarded to the winning men's Eight over a standard 2,000m course (1.24 miles).
[edit] Origins
The trophy was organised by Edmund Vanean, an old Etonian who had contacted Presidents of both University Boat Clubs (both of whom were Old Etonians). The records of the time state “the idea was accepted by them with alacrity” and both were “proud of the opportunity afforded them of showing their brotherhood, goodwill and interest in the welfare of their kinsmen in the antipodes”.
The cup has scenes of both Cambridge and Oxford engraved on the sides, pictures of rowing along with floral emblems of the countries of England, Scotland and Wales. The Angel on the top is pictured in the traditional pose of the Toast to Rowing. This long standing and traditional toast is afforded the winners of the Challenge Cup.
[edit] Intervarsity Competition
The Australian Universities Boat Race began in 1870 when four oared crews representing Sydney and Melbourne Universities competed over a three-and-a-half mile course on the Yarra River (Melbourne). Members of the crews also took part in the first cricket match between the two universities. The first race was won by Melbourne in 31 minutes and 4 seconds.
The first eight oared race between Australian Universities was conducted in 1888. Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide Universities met on the Hombourg reach course of the Yarra River. Melbourne was recorded as having won by 5 lengths over Adelaide and a similar distance to third place Sydney. Adelaide achieved its first win in 1889 at their home course on the Port River, and again in 1896 when stroked by famed South Australian oarsman W.H. Gosse. Sydney's first win was in 1890.
In 1920, Queensland University entered a crew for the first time. The crew came third place. Queensland steadily improved and, under the leadership of stroke E.B. Freeman, went on to win the 1922 and 1923 boat races.
The University of Tasmania boated its first inter-varsity crew in 1924. The Taswegians took the trophy home in 1925. The crew stroked by R.A. Scott defeated the highly fancied Sydney crew on the Brisbane River. The West Australians followed their interstate brethren and boated their first crew in 1927. This crew stroked by F.A. Williams took the cup home in their first race.
With the development of tertiary education in Australia in the 1950s and 60s it was not long before a whole raft of universities sought entry into the boat race. In 1956 New South Wales, 1963 Monash, 1966 Australian National and Newcastle, 1969 LaTrobe and 1973 Macquarie Universities gained entry. The Australian higher education reforms of the early 1990s opened the door for many former Technical Colleges and Colleges of Advanced Education to enter the boat race for the first time.
In 1969, the final break was made with the original 'Thames Putney Mortlake' course and the Australian Universities Boat Race was conducted over a 2,000m course.
