Former King’s Student Louis Corrigan (OKS 2021) Leads Oxford Women to Boat Race Glory

It was an exciting moment for King’s to watch one of its former students take centre stage, as Louis Corrigan (OKS 2021) steered the Oxford women’s crew to a superb and dominant victory in the 80th Women’s Boat Race, delivering a fantastic performance from start to finish.

With Olympic bronze medallist Heidi Long setting the tone as stroke, Oxford already looked strong, but it was Louis in the cox’s seat who dictated how things unfolded on the water. After Cambridge chose Surrey station, Louis responded immediately, steering Oxford into the smoothest water off the start and combining with Long to seize an early lead they would never relinquish.

From there, Oxford raced with control and composure. Louis held the fastest line, nullified Cambridge’s pushes around Hammersmith, and made a decisive move in tough conditions past Surrey bend to reclaim the inside line. Into the closing stages, Oxford remained relentless, eventually pulling clear to win by three lengths and end a nine-year wait for victory!

Reflecting on the race, Louis said:

“Simply competing in the Boat Race is a massive privilege, and one which is felt by everyone who is part of the event.

“You spend months fully immersed in something clearly bigger than yourself and your own aspirations, while surrounded by peers who all inspire you in different ways, while collectively working towards the same goal.

“To have been able to cox this Oxford crew to win, and to overturn a nine year deficit to our opposition, is an experience which will remain with me for the rest of my life. This sport has been a massive part of my life, both during my time at King’s and at Oxford, and although a significant commitment of time and energy it has undoubtedly been where I have learned the most about what I, and those around me, can achieve with enough grit.

“Rowing teaches you about how to create something even greater than the sum of its parts, and I’d argue that’s one of the most amazing things to seek to achieve in any walk of life!”

King’s Director of Rowing Nick Wells summed it up: “Louis was class out there. Properly calm, made all the right calls, and you could see the crew trusted him completely.”

Back at King’s, there was a real sense of pride in seeing Louis play such a central role in a Boat Race victory, an achievement that reflects both his ability and the strength of the King’s rowing programme.