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The University Boat Race Trivia Quiz

The University Boat Race is the oldest sporting event in the world. How much do you know about it?

A multiple-choice quiz by kittyconner. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
kittyconner

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
175,280

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
228

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which two universities compete in the Boat Race?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 2 of 10

2. Why was the 1831 race cancelled? Hint

cholera outbreak

rough weather

fog

one team sank before the start

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1836 which team wore light blue for the first time?

Answer: ( One Word .. or just first letter of name)

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Question 4 of 10

4. The present course was adopted in 1845. How long is the course? Hint

three and a quarter miles

three and a half miles

four and a half miles

four and a quarter miles

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Question 5 of 10

5. What happened to the race in 1912? Hint

both boats sank

Oxford sank

Cambridge sank

it was a dead-heat

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Question 6 of 10

6. The 1988 race saw the then fastest time taken to complete the course, at _________ ? Hint

16 minutes 19 seconds

18 minutes 3 seconds

20 minutes 10 seconds

15 minutes 12 seconds

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Question 7 of 10

7. In 1877 a dead heat was given as the result for the only time. What was the distance between the boats? Hint

4 inches

4 feet

8 feet

8 inches

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following has NOT competed in the Boat Race? Hint

Lord Snowdon

Stephen Fry

Hugh Laurie

Matthew Pinsent

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1981 Oxford selected a woman cox for the first time. What was her name? Hint

Sue Green

Sue Brown

Sue Grey

Sue White

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Question 10 of 10

10. The year 2004 marked the 150th race. Which team won the race?

Answer: (One Word, or just first letter of name)

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 06 2024 : Guest 131: 7/10
Mar 30 2024 : Guest 81: 5/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which two universities compete in the Boat Race?

Answer: Oxford and Cambridge

The first race was in 1829 at Henley on Thames.

2. Why was the 1831 race cancelled?

Answer: cholera outbreak

It was cancelled due to a cholera outbreak in London.

3. In 1836 which team wore light blue for the first time?

Answer: Cambridge

Until then Cambridge had worn white shirts with pink sashes.

4. The present course was adopted in 1845. How long is the course?

Answer: four and a quarter miles

The race starts at Putney and finishes at Mortlake.

5. What happened to the race in 1912?

Answer: both boats sank

There had been occasions where one or the other boat sank. 1912 was the first time when both boats did so.

6. The 1988 race saw the then fastest time taken to complete the course, at _________ ?

Answer: 16 minutes 19 seconds

The average time is 20 minutes. In 1998 Cambridge finished the course in 16 minutes 19 seconds.

7. In 1877 a dead heat was given as the result for the only time. What was the distance between the boats?

Answer: 4 feet

Reportedly the judge was asleep under a bush when the race finished. After waking him up he was asked to give a judgment he declared "it's a dead heat. Oxford by four feet"

8. Which of the following has NOT competed in the Boat Race?

Answer: Stephen Fry

Lord Snowdon, who was once the husband of the late Princess Margaret, rowed for Cambridge in 1950. Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry started off as a comedy duo, they then went on to star seperately in many British comedy series, Hugh Laurie rowed for Cambridge in 1980. Matthew Pinsent rowed for Oxford in 1992/3, he then went on to become a three times Olympic gold medallist, in rowing of course.

9. In 1981 Oxford selected a woman cox for the first time. What was her name?

Answer: Sue Brown

She coxed in 1981 and 1982. Oxford won on both occasions.

10. The year 2004 marked the 150th race. Which team won the race?

Answer: Cambridge

The race was not without incident. Oxford lodged a complaint that Cambridge took their station causing a clash of oars. The claim wasn't upheld.

Source: Author kittyconner

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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Referenced Topics

Sports World Sports Other Names London Blue Rowing Pink White Brown

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