Rowing: Oxford cox Nick Brodie says the Boat Race must remain loyal to its student roots as it becomes ever more professional.

The 21-year-old, from Bourton near Shrivenham, is in London with the dark blues preparing for the 2008 Boat Race against arch rivals Cambridge on Saturday and believes the university showpiece is becoming more competitive every year.

"It is really exciting because we have put together a really fast boat - faster than last year's," he said.

"But Cambridge are really strong and I'm sure they have also put together a better boat too.

"The standards are rising every year, you look at the boat race 20 or 30 years ago, it is so different.

"It will carry on increasing, so will finding new ways to gain the edge which is helped by better technology.

"It is becoming more and more professional but, as long as it maintains its student identity, that is fine."

Brodie, studying for a masters degree after completing his degree in geography last year, is president of the Oxford's rowing club and is aiming to avoid three consecutive defeats in the 154th race.

"Last year we had a boat which could have beaten them and we were close to doing it," he said.

"People look back on last year and think we did pretty well and maybe that Cambridge under performed.

"But we have an incredibly strong squad.

"Our rowing camp at Christmas was the best we have had in the four years I have been here.

"We decided after last year we needed to move along technically, and we did that."

With veteran Olympic rower Mike Wherley, who competed for the USA in 2000 and 2004, in the Oxford team Brodie sees a different role for him in his final year in the boat.

"I said last year it would be my last one but this will probably be my last," he said.

"It's a different role for me this year. We were underdogs last year and had to take the race to them. This year my role is to keep them calm, focused and relaxed."