Scales tip against boat race favourites

The two crews have been out practising on the Thames

Winds and rain are forecast for the Thames this weekend

Oxford race in dark blue...

...And Cambridge in light blue...

Cambridge University will have the lightest boat race crew for nine years for Saturday's showdown against Oxford on the Thames.

Cambridge average 13stone 9lbs per man, with Oxford weighing in at an average 14stone 6lbs.

Despite the Dark Blues' 11lb per man advantage, Cambridge are still favourites to record their eighth successive win.

Oxford were the heavier crew in 1999, when they lost, although the advantage was less than a pound a man.

Oxford are also the taller crew with Cambridge fielding their smallest eight in five years - despite the naming the tallest-ever competitor in race history - 6ft 9in American Joshua West.