Marines’ ring of steel at the Boat Race
ROYAL Marines deliver the Boat Race trophy to Oxford University’s victorious crew yesterday after guarding the Thames for the 159th contest.
We had a plan and stuck to it ruthlessly.
The Marines were drafted in after last year’s race was halted by an “anti-elitist” protester who swam into the path of the two crews. They were stationed in inflatable boats along the four-and-a-quarter-mile course.
Oxford won by a length and a half, in 17 minutes and 27 seconds, cutting Cambridge’s overall lead to 81-77.
Oxford cox Oskar Zorrilla said: “We had a plan and stuck to it ruthlessly.”
Olympic champion Matthew Pinsent, umpiring the race, said he was pleased it passed without incident.