Cambridge claim clean sweep in 2018 Boat Race after men and women crews storm to victory

Both races were clinched in emphatic fashion by the light blues

Cambridge men and women celebrate together after their double victory on Saturday (Getty)

Cambridge University enjoyed a clean sweep in the 2018 Boat Race after both the men and women’s teams stormed to victory against their Oxford rivals.

In the men’s race, the bulkier light blues quickly pulled ahead at the start and never wavered over the 6.8km course.

By the time the boats reached Hammersmith Bridge, Cambridge were nine seconds ahead and the second half of the race was a procession as they crossed the line nearly four lengths clear.

“Every other race I’ve done here, I’ve felt so nervous, but I felt really calm,” Cambridge cox Hugo Ramambason said.

“We wanted to get a good start, keep moving, and earn the right to win the race. Last year was real tough, but the attitude in the squad has been so good.”

Cambridge’s victory in the 164th edition of the race hands head coach Steve Trapmore a farewell triumph before he joins Team GB’s Olympic rowing programme, ending an eight-year spell in which he has helped transform the light blue’s set-up and fortunes.

Oxford had won four of the previous five men’s races. Cambridge now lead the overall series 83-80.

In the women’s race the light blue cemented their new-found dominance in the competition, winning the contests 73rd edition in some style.

Cox Sophie Shapter celebrates after clinching victory with Cambridge (Getty)

Head coach Rob Baker’s Cambridge crew claimed victory for the second year running – their first back-to-back triumphs this century.

The light blue crew raced into an early lead and extended that advantage throughout the course, adding another victory to last year’s 11-length triumph.

Putney-raised cox Sophie Shapter described guiding Cambridge to victory in the women’s Boat Race as “a dream come true”.

The former Latymer Uppper School student admitted she her maiden Boat Race victory will be her last, as he seeks a career in broadcasting.

“It’s awesome, it sounds cliche but it’s a dream come true to do this,” Shapter said.

“I never thought I’d do the Boat Race, and be on that stage spraying champagne everywhere. I always watched people do that and thought, ‘That’s pretty cool’. To have done that myself is amazing.

“To be honest I think that’s me done. I don’t want to go and do any GB stuff. It’s intense, it’s your career, and that’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life. So I think this is it.”