Background
The Inaugural Varsity Cross-Channel Relay Race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities, now over a decade ago, was a tremendous success. This event, the only university swimming race across the Channel, generated publicity worldwide as well as within both universities. Amongst others, the race was featured twice in The Times, in The Daily Telegraph, on numerous local Television stations and internationally on Australian National Radio. Over 100,000 alumni were informed through both Universities' alumni publications. In addition, extensive features ran in both Universities' student media and in the Swimming Times, a national swimming publication.
The first race saw both teams reach France within 2 minutes of each other and, according to the rules of the competition, the race was declared a draw. Since then, Oxford and Cambridge have met 5 more times in the Channel. The most recent race in 2010 saw extremely strong swims from both teams, with Cambridge beating Oxford by just 11 minutes, and the Cambridge team taking awards from the Channel Swimming Association for season's best in addition to the Varsity trophy.
The event has a strong international flavour with former American, Australian, Malaysian, Hong Kong and Singaporean students competing.
Results 1998-2010
Cambridge 3
Oxford 3
Draw 1
| Year | Winner | Cambridge Time | Oxford Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Draw | 9:24 | 9:25 |
| 2000 | Oxford | 8:25 | 8:18 |
| 2002 | Oxford | 9:19 | 9:06 |
| 2004 | Cambridge | 8:49 | 9:19 |
| 2006 | Cambridge | 10:22 | 10:48 |
| 2008 | Oxford | 10:20 | 10:00 |
| 2010 | Cambridge | 8:51 | 9:02 |
Contact the channel swimming team for more information