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The Star, 01 April 2009
Oxford pips old rivals Cambridge
By THO XIN YI
THE Oxford team tasted sweet victory again at the fifth Oxford and Cambridge Society Malaysia Boat Race recently.
Held at the Putrajaya Lake Club in conjunction with the society’s 50th anniversary, it was the fifth consecutive time that the Oxford rowers beat their Cambridge counterparts in the Coxed Four Sweep category.
That’s another edition of the race over: The Cambridge team leaving the lake.
The supporters cheered on the rowers energetically – “Come on, Cambridge!” and “Come on, Oxford!” – as the two boats sped across the lake in the hot sun.
Every one watched with bated breath as the teams reached the finishing line almost side by side.
But it was the Oxonians who broke into joyous cheers as they pipped their rivals by just a few seconds.
Referring to the close finish, Oxford rower Emma Davidson said: “The Cambridge team trained very hard for the race and it’s more fun.”
They started their practice six weeks ago and roped in their spouses and children to take part in the Best of the Best Double Kayak Race.
The Cantabrigians had their moment of glory, too, when their two-man team clinched the top prize in the Double Scull Race.
“It feels good winning this time after participating in the race for three years,” said Chow Tuck Mun, 31, who paired up with Hii Hnn Hui.
We did it!: The jubilant Oxford team after the race.
As the race was going on, former British ambassador and high commissioner Andrew Caie shared some rowing facts with the spectators.
“I was one of the rowers for my college and we trained five afternoons a week. It was indeed good fun.
“We had the bumps race, where we ‘bumped’ the boat in front of us. In the next race, the boat that had been bumped would have to start behind the boat that bumped it,” the 61-year-old explained.
While watching the races, the Oxbridge alumni also helped themselves to a refreshing chilled drink concocted by Davidson from Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, lemonade, fresh mint leaves and apple, orange and cucumber cubes.
Oxford and Cambridge Society Malaysia vice-president Elizabeth Lee called it “the official boat race drink”.
“Every one drank this during the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in England,” she said.
The race first took place on March 12, 1829 and the 155th boat race was held last Sunday.
Like the race in Malaysia, Oxford beat Cambridge on the River Thames, but Cambridge still holds a 79-75 lead over their rivals.
“Oxford and Cambridge are like brothers and sisters, competing with each other in a friendly manner.
“We wanted to re-enact it here so we started this lovely event locally,” said Lee, a Cambridge alumnus.
Being the sponsors of the event, TM and Deloitte later also sportingly took part in the Dragon Boat Race, which was won by Deloitte.
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