The Boat Race 1863

[6] Both crews arrived at Putney on 21 March, one week before the race,[7] and each put in four practice sessions in the run-up to the main event.

[11] Six of the Oxford crew had represented their university in the previous year's race, including W. M. Hoare who was rowing at stroke for the third time.

The Cambridge boat contained two members of the 1862 crew, including William Cecil Smyly and John Graham Chambers.

[12] Oxford, who were clear pre-race favourites,[15] won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey side of the river to Cambridge.

[17] Oxford crossed over to row directly in front of Cambridge, and according to MacMichael, "it was evident here that the race was over, barring accidents.