Both the men’s and women’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race trophies have been put on display for the public for the very first time at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
The coveted engraved awards have been displayed at the museum in Cambridge, as it was the university that won both the women’s and men’s race earlier in 2021. The trophies will be held by Cambridge until the next race in 2022, which is set to take place in April, and they will be on public display at the museum until 27th March, 2022.
This is the first time the famous Blue Boat trophies have been put on display, until now only having been seen briefly on race days. In 2020, a decision was made for the winning institution for both the men’s and women’s race to have responsibility for the respective trophy until the next race.
The two iconic trophies, both examples of contemporary British silver, can now be viewed up close, giving people the opportunity to appreciate the skill that has gone into their design and creation. The men’s trophy is decorated with a detailed etching of the map of the Thames race.
Also included in the museum display is research undertaken by Dr Victoria Avery, which shares information regarding the commissioning of the trophies, and also details of how they were made.
The two trophies will also be joined by three others – the women’s original Blue Boat trophy and the Men’s and Women’s Reserve Boat cups.
