 Although Oxford arrived at Putney as favourites to win the race , Cambridge 's style was enough to force the odds to evens . However , in a practice race , the Dark Blues defeated a watermen scratch crew easily and restored their position as pre @-@ race favourites . Both crews rowed in 65 @-@ foot ( 20 m ) long boats manufactured by Searle . The umpire for the race was Charles Jasper Selwyn and the starter was Edward Searle . 
