University Boat Race title sponsors Xchanging have decided to end their financial backing of the event when their contract expires in 2012.
Xchanging, a business processing company, will sign off as sponsors after the 158th Boat Race on April 7, 2012, ending an eight-year association with the event, which saw Oxford grab the glory over Cambridge on the River Thames on Saturday.
David Searle, executive director of The Boat Race Company Ltd, said: “We are now focused on finding a new title sponsor for the event from 2013.
“Given the success of the race and its growing TV, radio and online audience around the world – reaching more than 200 countries – we are confident of securing another partner wanting to help us take the event forward.”
OXFORD’S women capped a memorable weekend for the university with victory over their Cambridge counterparts at the Henley Boat Races on Sunday.
The Dark Blues triumphed by one length in 6mins 24secs.
Among the Oxford crew was Natalie Redgrave, daughter of Sir Steve Redgrave, who won gold medals for Great Britain at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000.
He was on the riverbank to cheer Natalie and her crewmates to victory.
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