The Boat Race Crews: Sibling rivalry and Aussie smackdown as Oxford and Cambridge name squads

Oxford University and Cambridge University have unveiled the crews to take part in The Boat Race 2026 ahead of the iconic varsity clash in the heart of London on Saturday, April 4.

Once again, the dark blues of Oxford will look to end a reign of Cambridge dominance in the event when the universities do battle on The Tideway. The Men’s Race has been won by Cambridge in six of the last seven years with the margin of victory increasing each event since 2023. Meanwhile, Oxford have not won the Women’s Race since 2016.

The crews taking part in next month’s event were named in a new location of Somerset House, organisers moving the event from Battersea Power Station, with some familiar faces joined by newcomers to the race.

The Boat Race 2026 crews unveiled at Somerset House

Mia Freischem will make the step up from the reserve crew race last year and sit in the seven seat for Cambridge Women. The Darwin College student only got into rowing through her older sister, who happens to be lining up on the opposite crew.

Lilli will sit at three in the Oxford Women’s boat in what is her second Boat Race in the Blue Boat, having also raced twice in the reserve fixture. Both sisters learnt to row at Edinburgh University.

Other stories to note include Australian duo Jamie Arnold and Alexander McClean both sitting at six for Oxford and Cambridge Men respectively. Arnold learned to row at Melbourne Grammar School and arrived at Jesus College this year having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. McClean hails from Parramatta and completed his first degree at Yale.

Cambridge Women bow seat Gemma King was somewhat the star of the show on Thursday as she returns for her seventh Boat Race. The St John’s student, who began her rowing career at Lady Eleanor Holles School, has raced twice in the lightweight event, twice in the reserves and twice in the Blue Boat previously.

Gemma King: Cambridge ‘pressure’ to maintain winning streak

She told LondonWorld: “Every year is equally exciting, that’s why I keep coming back. I love it and love rowing with different people. Each year is a new year with a new squad. It’s exciting to be a part of, no matter how many times you’ve done it.

“Recent form definitely puts pressure on. You want to make sure you keep the winning streak going but, at the end of the day, we’re trying to go as fast as we can. Both squads are really strong. We’re trying to leave nothing unturned and use that streak to fuel us.”

When asked just how important her experience could be for the Cambridge crew as they look for an eighth win a row, King added: “It’s definitely useful in some senses. I know how the race works, the different landmarks and the lead-up to the race. I can be someone that people can come to, however I’m definitely not the person with the best rowing experience in the boat! We can all learn from each other and bring different things.

“I think balancing rowing alongside studies helps me and gives me that structure. I have to be organised. While it does mean my days are really full and busy, I love the training because it’s with my friends and we’re pushing hard together, and I also enjoy my work. I guess I’ve been doing it so long I don’t know any different anymore!”

Oxford will go into both races as the underdogs but the dark blues have tasted victory in the Men’s race more recently than the Women thanks to a 2022 triumph. That was, however, the only Oxford win since 2017.

Harry Geffen reunited with former Eton College coach in Oxford Blue Boat

Harry Geffen is one of the new faces looking to turn the tide, arriving at Keble having completed his first degree at Yale. He told LondonWorld: “It’s been good, I feel we’ve got some momentum now through the fixtures. Being here at the event makes it feel all the more real. I’m excited

“We’re trying to really make changes from last year, starting a new chapter. Some of us are only here for a year but some have longer, so it’s about building something. Hopefully you’ll see on April 4th, the strides we’ve made as a crew and as a club.”

Geffen’s transition into the programme at Oxford has been helped thanks to a close relationship with coach Mark Fangen-Hall. The duo first met at Eton College, with Fangen-Hall the one responsible for getting his stroke man first in a boat.

Geffen said: “When I left school it felt very much like a goodbye with no future plans in sight. It’s funny how the world works to be reunited. That’s definitely one of the reasons why Oxford was so attractive as I know how good a coach and programme-builder he is. I knew, as well as academically, it would set me up best for my future rowing plans.

“It’s funny because I recognise the little titbits and some of the phrases. I can sometimes read through some of the advice as I’ve heard it all before. It’s really good.”

The Boat Race 2026 crews

Cambridge Women: Cox - Matt Moran, Stroke - Aidan Wrenn-Walz, 7 - Mia Freischem, 6 - Camille Vandermeer, 5 - Antonia Galland, 4 - Carys Earl, 3 - Charlotte Ebel, 2 - Isobel Campbell, Bow - Gemma King (President)

Oxford Women: Cox - Louis Corrigan, Stroke - Heidi Long (President), 7 - Sarah Marshall, 6 - Esther Briz Zamorano, 5 - Kyra Delray, 4 - Julietta Camahort, 3 - Lilli Freischem, 2 - Emily Molins, Bow - Annie Anezakis

Oxford Men: Cox - Tobias Bernard (President), Stroke - Harry Geffen, 7 - Alex Sullivan, 6 - Jamie Arnold, 5 - Alex Underwood, 4 - Fergus Pim, 3 - James Fetter, 2 - Julian Schöberl, Bow - Felix Crabtree

Cambridge Men: Cox - Sammy Houdagui, Stroke - Freddy Breuer, 7 - Will Klipstine, 6 - Lexi Maclean, 5 - Gabriel Obholzer, 4 - Patrick Wild, 3 - Kyle Fram, 2 - Noam Mouelle (President), Bow - Simon Hatcher

In other news, The Boat Race confirms further broadcasting shake-up ahead of 2026 varsity clash.