Rebecca Dowbiggin has an oarsome plan to stun Oxford and bow out on a high
Cambridge cox Rebecca Dowbiggin is desperate to finish her rowing career on a high by inspiring an upset in Sunday's University Boat Race.
The four-and-a-quarter-mile contest from Putney to Mortlake will be the 25-year-old's third and final time calling the shots in the annual battle against Oxford, as she completes her economics PHD this summer.
It will also be her last big race in the sport as she has no plans to carry on after university.
She said: "I did think about it but I've decided against pursuing a career in coxing. So this is my last big race, my Olympics if you like, and it's my last chance to go for a big win."
St Albans-born Dowbiggin was part of the winning crew in 2007 but she tasted defeat 12 months ago. The 13th woman to cox for Cambridge in the race added: "To win the race is incredible but losing is just as powerful. I don't want to feel that again."
Dowbiggin's crew are at a weight disadvantage - an average of 15st 1lb - with Oxford possessing the heaviest crew in the 180-year history of the event at 15st 9lb a man.
Oxford, who are favourites for victory, also boast greater experience. Their crew is made up of five Olympians from Beijing, two of whom won medals - Colin Smith and George Bridgewater.
Smith, who first rowed at the Leander Club with Olympic veterans Sir Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, said: "We've got all the experience you'd want from a crew and we think we have enough to edge it."
