This Sunday marks the 170th edition of the men’s and the 79th edition of the women’s Oxford and Cambridge boat races along the Thames.

The crews will compete fiercely over a 4.25-mile course that stretches between Putney and Mortlake, with an anticipated audience of around 250,000 spectators.

For many, this event transcends the rivalry of Oxford versus Cambridge, embodying a clash between north and south London.

Leading the Cambridge team is president Luca Ferraro, an athlete from north London who grew up near the Emirates Stadium and began rowing in Hackney at the age of 15.

On the opposing side, Oxford’s Blue Boat features James Doran, a south Londoner who takes pride in his Putney roots where he first trained on the Tideway.

Doran, who has always appreciated the Southbank for its food, culture, and community, reminisced about his childhood experiences on Boat Race day, trying to sneak glimpses of the action from the bus.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he recalled.

Ferraro echoed the sentiment about the race’s significance: “The Boat Race is a quintessential part of British sports culture; its traditions contribute significantly to its lasting allure and the pride people take in its history.”

He expressed gratitude for the dedicated coaches who invested countless hours in preparing them. “The welcoming environment made it such a wonderful way to start in a sport that I knew little about at the beginning.”

Cambridge has triumphed in five out of the last six men’s races and has secured seven consecutive victories in the women’s category.

“Out on the river, the competition is palpable,” Ferraro noted. “At heart, I’m a racer, and my primary focus is reaching the finish line first.”

“The team changes every year, as does the race itself; it truly feels unique each time,” he added. “We approach each Boat Race as its own distinct challenge, and we’ll see how this one unfolds.”

Doran, who also relishes the rivalry, stated that Oxford’s aim is to deliver their best effort.

“Our new coach and team, including three members from the recent Paris Olympics, are excited,” he shared. “We are eager for the day ahead, determined and hopeful to achieve the best performance.”

Both rowers have participated in the last two races: Ferraro seeks to secure a hat-trick while Doran aims to end a streak of defeats.

Ferraro described winning as “an indescribable feeling,” emphasizing the hard work behind it all. “After six months of intense training and significant sacrifice, balancing academic commitments with training, achieving success with such close friends is an incredible experience.”

Doran added, “It’s wonderful to feel connected to something that has meaning for so many, especially in a team sport. I have cherished memories from being a part of this and have always aspired to race. I feel incredibly fortunate to be competing for the third time.”