OXFORD University are strong favourites to win next month’s BNY Mellon Boat Race – despite weighing in much lighter than their rivals.

The Light Blues are an average of 5.25kg a man heavier than Oxford after yesterday’s weigh-in.

But bookmakers have faith in the Dark Blues, making them 4-9 favourites to record a hat-trick of victories and a tenth success in the last 14 races.

For the third year, the Newton Women’s Boat Race crews weighed-in with their male counterparts, with Oxford favourites to make it a double success, despite Cambridge holding an average of 0.9kg per woman advantage.

The heaviest oarsman is Cambridge president Alexander Leichter, who topped the scales at 99kg.

The Boat Races will take place on Sunday, April 11, both being shown live on television.

The women start at 4.50pm, with the men following an hour later.

BOAT RACE CREWS

OXFORD

W Geffen (82.2kg), T Swartz (76.6), H Goodier (88.2), J O’Connor (83.4), J Cook (83.8), M DiSanto (90.8), S O’Connor (88.6), C Louloudis (92.2). Cox: W Hakim (54.6).

CAMBRIDGE

J Holst (86.8kg), L Juckett (85.2), B Ruble (84.8), A Leichter (99), W Warr (94.2), M Jackson (94), J Hooper (92.6), H Hoffstot (91.2). Cox: I Middleton (53.6).

Women’s Boat Race

OXFORD

M Scheske (66.6kg), A Chitty (69.6), S Pearson (70), L Kedar (75.4), N Graedel Iberg (72.4), E Reynolds (67.4), M Badcott (74), C Davies (78.4). Cox: J Ehr (50.4).

CAMBRIDGE

H Evans (69.2kg), A Brown (80.8), C Reid (66), C Watkins (71.2), M Wilson (77.8), H Hill (78.8), D Martschenko (76.4), F Belais (60.8). Cox: R Ostfeld (49.8).