The Boat Race 1981

[1] First held in 1829, the race takes place on the 4.2 miles (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London.

[9] Christopher Dodd writing in The Guardian noted Oxford's aggressiveness during the preparations for the race, suggesting that they were "set to humiliate their opponents if they possibly can.

[15] Her selection caused a furore; according to Dodd, "Sue Brown must have passed before more shutters than anyone except for Lady Diana Spencer".

[11] Boris Rankov was making his fourth appearance, but this time as a junior fellow of St Hugh's, rather than as an undergraduate at Corpus Christi.

[17] Graeme Hall was the Cambridge finishing coach,[18] while Oxford's Dan Topolski took over that role from Steve Royle two weeks prior to the race.

[22] Both crews rating equally off the start, Oxford took an early lead and led by nine seconds by the Mile Post, allowing her to move the Dark Blue boat in front of Cambridge.

[13] In the reserve race, Isis beat Goldie by five lengths, their second consecutive victory.

[9] In the 36th running of the Women's Boat Race, Oxford triumphed, their second consecutive victory.

[19] Jim Railton of The Times was impressed: "Without a doubt it is one of the finest crews Oxford have ever produced, arguably the best.