THE 2004 BOAT RACE Sunday 28 March 1800 BST Live coverage on BBC One BBC Radio Five Live, and the BBC Sport Website Oxford line-up and weights Cambridge line-up and weights

The heavier crew has won two-thirds of the last 149 races, but Oxford won in 2003 despite being 16 pounds lighter.

Oxford coach Sean Bowden believes this season's crew are of a similar standard to last year's victors.

"They're a little stronger, they have a bit more speed but they might lack a bit of experience," he told BBC Sport.

Cambridge weighed in at an average of 14st 1.5lb, while Oxford took the scales at 14st 2.5lb, boasting the heaviest man in the race, Peter Reed at 15st 7.5lb.

Light Blue coach Robin Williams says his crew have "made some good improvements" in the last few weeks.

"For every few really good outings you have one day when they wake up a bit tired or with a bit less concentration," he said.

"But as long as the trend is forwards that's the main thing - and it is at the moment. They're doing pretty well."

Cambridge's president is Wayne Pommen, who missed out last year when his boat crashed into a motor launch on the eve of the race.

His Dark Blue counterpart Sam McLennan is part of the Oxford reserve crew, Isis, after a back injury spoiled his training in the run-up to the race.

Isis weighed in on average three-and-a-half pounds heavier than their Cambridge rivals Goldie.

Crews:

Cambridge: S Buschbacher, K Coventry, N Kirk, C Le Neve Foster, H Mallinson, S Mayer , W Pommen, K Richardson (cox), A Shannon.

Oxford: B Dixon, C Kennelly, D Livingston, H Morris, A Nethercott (cox), P Reed, J Scrogin, C Smith, A Stubbs.