Date: Sunday 6 April Start time: 1630 BST Location: River Thames Live in audio and video on this website. Check full BBC coverage details

The crews have undergone a demanding schedule to reach peak condition for the four-and-a-quarter mile race on London's River Thames.

Cambridge have won eight of the last 10 meetings.

But it is Oxford who are in the ascendancy with two wins out of three, including last year's dramatic win, one of the closest duels in the event's history.

But Oxford president Matt Smith, a veteran of three Boat Races, insists that last year's result is now in the past and his crew must focus their attentions on retaining their title.

"Last year was an epic race and an enjoyable thing to be part of, but we need a crew that is going to win the Boat Race this year," Smith told the BBC Sport website.

"We can take confidence from last year, but must make sure we don't live in the past and we're always looking forward to the future."

Smith has good reason to look forward to this year's race.

Oxford have three returning Blues from 2002 - Smith himself, Basil Dixon, and Robin Bourne-Smith.

BOAT RACE FACTS Cambridge set the course record of 16.19mins in 1998 Cambridge won a record 13 consecutive races between 1924 and 1936 Overall, Cambridge have 77 wins and Oxford 70

The trio's experience will be invaluable if the Dark Blues are to retain their crown.

"We've had a couple of races in preparation, but we're not going to get a lot stronger between now and the race," Smith said.

"A lot of the preparations now are mental and the fine-tuning of the whole crew, looking for inches of speed. We're looking forward to the race."

Cambridge meanwhile will rely on the experience of returning Blues James Livingston and Tim Wooge.

HAVE YOUR SAY Whatever your views on Oxbridge, it cannot be denied that the Boat Race is one of the best examples of high quality rowing you will EVER see Mark, UK Join the debate

Wooge, the first German to be named as President of Cambridge, is competing for a third time having won twice before.

"I've tried to pass on the feeling of winning the Boat Race to the other guys," Wooge said.

"But it's difficult for guys who have never done the race before - they don't know how they are going to feel.

"Rowing is not usually a big spectator sport, we're not used to big crowds. Sitting on that start line near Putney Bridge can be quite a daunting experience.

"So I have tried to pass down as much experience as I can."

Feature: Brothers go face to face

One added pressure on the competitors this year is the presence of two brothers is opposing crews.

James Livingston returns for Cambridge for a second year, while his brother David makes his debut for the Dark Blues.

The Boat Race is one of the most popular events in the British calendar and attracts a crowd of around 250,000 to the banks of the River Thames.

For the last five years BBC's television audience for the event has averaged over six million.

Oxford: J Adams, B Dixon, S McLennan, D Livingston, R Bourne-Taylor, S Frandsen, H Morris, M Smith, (president), A Nethercott (cox)

Cambridge: W Pommen, K Coventry, H Mallinson, M Kleinz, A McGarel-Groves, T James, J Livingston, T Wooge (president), J O'Martian (cox)