in a subsequent two-and-a-half-length defeat by their own reserve crew, Goldie. Both crews had faced the "Lubrication Laboratory" crew from Imperial College London, a "hotbed of rowing", in the lead-up to the official race, but changes in personnel and differences in conditions and race lengths did not demonstrate a clear favourite. The day before the race, British bookmaking company Ladbrokes announced that they would sponsor the race from the following year. From 1977, each boat club would be awarded £10,000 and would compete for The Ladbroke Cup. Crews For the first time in the history of the event, an official weigh-in was held, organised by The Sunday Times and weighing machine manufacturers W & T Avery Ltd. Oxford's crew was the heaviest of all time, at an average of just under 14 st 1 lb (89.0 kg) per rower, more than their opposition, and the first time in the race history, a crew weighed more than an average of 14 st (88.7 kg). The Dark Blue crew also included Steve Plunkett who, at 16 st 5 lb (103.6 kg) was the heaviest rower in the history of the race. The Cambridge crew were inexperienced, their only Blue being the Cambridge University Boat Club president Henry Clay who had rowed in the 1975 race. In contrast, Oxford welcomed back five of their 1975 crew including cox J. N. Calvert, and also included two from the victorious 1975 Isis crew. Two non-British rowers participated, Americans Dick Cashin (of Harvard) for Cambridge and Ken Brown (of Cornell) for Oxford. Race Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station. Leading from the outset, and in calm river conditions, Oxford were a length ahead within a minute. Four lengths up by the Mile Post, which they reached in a record 3 minutes 35 seconds, the Dark Blues reduced their rating. Further milestone records were broken at Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick Steps and Barnes Bridge. Oxford reduced their rating but still extended their lead to six lengths by the finishing post, in a record-breaking time of 16 minutes 58 seconds, 37 seconds quicker than their 1974 colleagues who had previously held the record. Although Cambridge also beat the existing record, they finished a distant 22 seconds and lengths behind. Reaction Oxford coach Topolski said of his successful crew: "they got three [lengths] up, then they really sat on it and cruised. The enjoyed