Boat Race 2017 live stream: How to watch the Boat Race LIVE online TODAY
BOAT Race fans around the world can live stream the battle between Oxford and Cambridge for the first time ever later. Here is how you can watch the Boat Race live online.
Oxbridge students prepare for the 2017 boat race
Today's Boat Race between the university boat clubs on the River Thames will be streamed live on YouTube for the first time in the race's long history.
Race organisers said: “The Boat Races, which have a 188-year history, will be available globally on YouTube.
“Over 250,000 people line the banks of the Thames on Race day and millions more watch the event live on the BBC in the UK every year but, with over a billion people globally on YouTube, this announcement will give one of Britain’s biggest sporting events the chance to be seen by many more across the world.”
You can watch the 72nd Women’s Boat Race at 4.35pm and the 163rd Men’s Boat Race at 5.35pm on the Boat Race YouTube channel here.
This year you can live stream the Boat Race on YouTube
Cambridge's male rowers are defending the title they won last year but the university’s women’s team are hoping for better luck this year.
In 2016 the Cambridge women’s boat almost sank in the Thames, allowing Oxford to pull away and cruise to an easy victory.
If you want to get in the mood for the races, there are already several behind-the-scenes videos of the squads preparing for today's battle on YouTube.
The live feed begins at 4.20pm and will be streamed live from the Championship Course, which stretches all the way from Putney in West London to Mortlake.
The Oxford University men's boat crew train on the River Thames ahead of this year's race
David Searle, executive director of the Boat Race Company Limited, said: “We are delighted to have this online opportunity and look forward to reaching out to our biggest ever global audience this year.
“We know there is global interest in the Races because of both its tradition and the sporting theatre it provides and we are very happy to be able to deliver it with YouTube.”
BBC One will broadcast both races live with popular sports presenter Clare Balding hosting the coverage from 4pm. You can watch the races live on BBC iPlayer here.
The BBC says: “From the banks of the River Thames in London, Clare Balding introduces live coverage of one of the oldest and most iconic events in the sporting calendar.”
Clare Balding will host the BBC One coverage from 4pm.
This year the Boat Race is being held in support of Cancer Research UK.