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Oxford (left) and Cambridge University's women's teams pose for a publicity shot ahead of this year's historic race on London's River Thames. This year is the first time that the Women's Boat Race has been held on the same day and on the same course as the men's race. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Oxford president Anastasia Chitty (left) and Cambridge president Caroline Reid will lead two crews of eight on Saturday April 11. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Cambridge University's women out practicing on the Thames ahead of Saturday's race. The first Women's Boat Race was held in 1927. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Oxford celebrate winning the race held at Henley-on-Thames in 2014. The Women's Boat Race has been raced at the famous rowing venue 40 miles west of London since the 1970s. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
The men's University Boat Race has been contested on London's Thames since 1845. The annual race between the UK's two premier universities takes place between Putney Bridge (pictured) and Mortlake in south-west London. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
All crews in both the women's and men's races pass under Hammersmith Bridge. The famous London landmark is reached 1.5 miles into the 4.25-mile course. Tom Dulat/Getty Images
The event takes place annually around Easter time. Despite frequently glum weather, the race always attracts tens of thousands of spectators along the route with many congregating at the start in Putney (pictured) on the south bank of the Thames. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
In all, each team will complete around 600 strokes during the contest cutting through the often choppy waters of the Thames. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/file