The Boat Race 1951

In a race umpired by former Oxford rower Gerald Ellison, Cambridge won the re-row by twelve lengths in a time of 20 minutes 50 seconds, taking the overall record in the event to 53–43 in their favour.

[9] The rowing correspondent writing in The Manchester Guardian stated that "if Oxford to-day can make the most of their superiority in weight and good fighting spirit the race is by no means lost to them".

Cambridge saw four rowers return with Boat Race experience, including their number six Brian Lloyd and stroke David Jennens.

Five of Cambridge rowers were studying at St John's College, thus rowed for Lady Margaret Boat Club under the supervision of Meldrum.

[15] Oxford had already taken on board a considerable amount of water from their row to the stakeboats and had opted for less physical protection against the inclement conditions than their opponents.

The Light Blues took an early lead and appeared to be coping with the conditions better than Oxford, and were over a length ahead by the time they passed the London Rowing Club boathouse.

Cambridge continued, and headed for the relative protection of the Surrey shore but were caught by the umpire's boat and informed that the race was void.

[15] After the two-day delay, Oxford once again won the toss and once again elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge.