WWII bomb near Putney Bridge should not stop the 163rd University Boat Race

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The University Boat Race is expected to go ahead after a suspected World War Two shell was discovered by the River Thames, police have said.

But some viewing areas may have to be suspended by the event organisers if it is deemed to pose a hazard.

The find was made near Putney Bridge, west London, on Saturday - a day before the 163rd Oxford v Cambridge race.

Work to assess what is believed to be "submerged ordnance" is continuing on Sunday morning.

Unexploded wartime bomb find casts doubt on Boat Race


BBC News
2 April 2017


The Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race is expected to go ahead

The University Boat Race is expected to go ahead after a suspected World War Two shell was discovered by the River Thames, police have said.

But some viewing areas may have to be suspended by the event organisers if it is deemed to pose a hazard.

The find was made near Putney Bridge, west London, on Saturday - a day before the 163rd Oxford v Cambridge race.

Work to assess what is believed to be "submerged ordnance" is continuing on Sunday morning.

A bomb disposal unit had to wait for the tide to go out to take a better look at it, police added.

The Thames river tide receded at about 01:00 BST and organisers will meet police later to decide if the race will be affected.

Crowds of up to 300,000 people are expected to line the banks of the River Thames.

Spectators have been warned to be vigilant following the attack at Westminster, reported the Telegraph.

"The security threat level remains at severe and, as always, we would encourage those attending to be aware of their surroundings and be vigilant," the Met said in a statement.

Passing sailor

Roads in the area of the suspected bomb currently remain open.

The Met confirmed officers were in attendance on the northern bank of the river at Chelsea.

A statement said: "Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 13:50 BST on Saturday... reporting what they thought to be World War Two ordnance on the Chelsea shoreline by Putney Bridge.


The Boat Races start on the other side of Putney Bridge to where the suspected World War Two bomb has been found


Putney Bridge in west London links Putney in the London Borough of Wandsworth on the south side of the river with Fulham in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to the north

"Officers including the Marine Policing Unit are in attendance."

Michelle Dite, race director of the Boat Race, said on Saturday: "At this stage the races will go ahead as planned.

"Any decisions regarding changes to the event will be made in conjunction with the police."

The BBC understands the bomb was found by a passing sailor and was located on the Chelsea bank of the river on the north side of Putney Bridge.

The races start on the other side of Putney Bridge, with the women's race at 16:35 BST and the men's race at 17:35 BST.

Unexploded wartime bomb find casts doubt on Boat Race - BBC News
 

Blackleaf

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The light blues of Cambridge have beaten the dark blues of Oxford in the 72nd Women's University Boat Race.

They dominated to win by over 30 seconds in a course record of 18 minutes and 34 seconds.

The main event - the men's race - gets underway in a few minutes.


Boat Race: Cambridge capitalise on Oxford error to win women's race

BBC Sport
2 April 2017



72nd Women's University Boat Race

Result: Cambridge University victory (18 mins 34 secs)

Number of victories: Cambridge 42-30 Oxford


Cambridge were the heavier crew in Sunday's race

Cambridge took advantage of a dreadful start by Oxford to claim a first win in the Women's Boat Race since 2012.

Oxford's Rebecca Esselstein made an error with her oar, known as catching a crab, and her crew never recovered.

It allowed the Light Blues, featuring four members of last year's crew who almost sank on the river, to quickly get into their rhythm.

They dominated to win by over 30 seconds in a course record of 18 minutes and 34 seconds.



Cambridge president Ashton Brown was thrilled to be on the winning side after losing in both 2015 and 2016.

"I'm so proud of the team and the squad this year," she told BBC Sport.

"I couldn't have done it without the squad and I just had an awesome job leading them."

Sunday's race had been in doubt after a suspected World War Two shell was discovered by the River Thames.

Boat Race: Cambridge capitalise on Oxford error to win women's race - BBC Sport




Oxford win 163rd University Boat Race

BBC Sport
2 April 2017





Result

Oxford victory (16 mins 58 secs)

Number of victories - Cambridge 82-80 Oxford

Oxford: Warr (UK), O'Leary (US), Cook (UK), Bugajski (UK), Siegelaar (Ned), di Santo (US), Cook (UK), Ragoussis (UK), Collier (UK)

Cambridge: Ruble (US), Davidson (UK), Letten (US), Tracey (US), Malowany (Can), Eble (US), Tredell (UK), Meek (Aus, UK), Ramambason (UK)


Oxford made it four wins in five years after beating Cambridge by just over a length in the 163rd Boat Race.

Oxford led throughout and although Cambridge tried to stay in touch, they were unable to get past the Dark Blues, who won in a time of 16 minutes 58 seconds.


The two crews at the start line - Putney Bridge


Thousands cram Putney Bridge (above, the start of the women's race), the start line for the race


Hammersmith Bridge is crammed with spectators

Victory, which follows last year's defeat, was also Oxford's seventh from 10, and reduces their overall deficit to 82-80.

The pre-race favourites had won the toss, and chose to start on the same Surrey station on the south side of the River Thames as Cambridge's women, who had earlier won the women's edition of the race.

Sunday's races had been in doubt after a suspected World War Two shell was discovered by the River Thames.

Boat Races: Oxford triumph in men's race after Cambridge women win - BBC Sport
 
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