Oxford women's Boat Race crew sinks in Thames

The nine rowers of Oxford University's women boat crew have been rescued from the river Thames after their boat sank in rough waters while training for the world-famous Boat Race later this month against Cambridge.
The eight rowers and their cox were taken by lifeboat to Putney, south London, and their sunken boat was recovered and returned to the crew's base later today.
The rescuers later tweeted: "Glad to say all athletes are well and ready to go."
Oxford had been training for the annual Boat Race, which - along with the men's race - takes place on April 11.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) Chiswick station reported a strong wind against the tide that created three successive waves that poured over the boat's riggers, "creating an influx of water that could not be managed by the craft's bilge pump".
Oxford are favourites to win the women's Boat Race but the accident will give a boost to the Cambridge crew, age-old rivals in the traditional boat race.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "While passing through Putney on exercise the crew of the Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat noticed some unusual manoeuvring on the water just beyond Fulham railway bridge.
Christine Wilson, chief coach of the Oxford women's crew, said: "The tideway can be tempestuous, fickle and a challenge for the most experienced navigators, which is why we regard the river as the other competitor in the Boat Race.

"I am pleased to confirm that all of the athletes are safe and well, and that the whole situation was managed calmly, safely and competently."
This year's race will be the first time the women's race has been contested on the same course, over the same distance, and on the same day as the men's race.
In previous years the women's race has been held at Henley Royal Regatta.
The women's race has been contested since 1927, with the score standing at Cambridge 40, Oxford 29.