Source : ABC NEWS
Australian rower Annie Anezakis has helped Oxford end a decade-long losing streak with victory over Cambridge in the annual women’s Boat Race.
The 27-year-old from Melbourne was competing in the historic university clash for a fourth time.
Oxford finally turned the tables, starting fast and winning by 9.4 seconds in blustery, choppy conditions on the Thames.
A former women’s president of the Oxford boat club, Anezakis was in the bow seat as Oxford won for the 31st time in the 80th edition of the race.
“What rowing’s taught me is that hard work, resilience and determination always pays off,” Anezakis told the UK’s Channel 4.
“If you just put it in every day, you’ll get the reward.
“It’s something I’ll take into the rest of my life: hard work and grit always pay off.”
Annie Anezakis (centre) lifts the trophy as he crewmates celebrate defeating Cambridge. (Getty Images/PA Images: Yui Mok)
Oxford’s crew also included Great Britain’s Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Heidi Long, the current club president.
Anezakis previously rowed for Princeton University in the US from 2017-2021.
She has credited Australian Olympic legends Stephanie Rice and Libby Trickett as her earliest sporting inspirations, after watching them win swimming gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.
In the 171st edition of the men’s race, Australian Alexander McClean helped strong favourites Cambridge to victory by 3.5 lengths and 11.02 seconds.
It was Cambridge’s 89th win to Oxford’s 81. The 1877 race was declared a dead heat.
AAP/Reuters
