Boat Race 2026: Freischem sisters in opposite crews for Thames event

When Mia Freischem takes part in the 80th Women’s Boat Race, she will – for a short time – be leaving family loyalties, as well as her tracksuit and waders, by the side of the Thames.

The 24-year-old will be part of a Cambridge crew looking for a ninth successive win in the event.

But when she looks across at the Oxford boat as they wait at the start line, she will see a very familiar face – her older sister Lilli.

“From the moment we realised it could be a possibility that we were racing each other, I think we were both just so excited and, if anything, it made us work harder to try to make it happen,” said Mia.

“It’s just such a special thing to know that you get to race against someone that you know so well. Since this is Lilli’s last year of her PhD, this is the race for the ultimate bragging rights.”

Lilli had the number two seat in the Oxford boat last year when they were beaten by 7.72 seconds over the 4.2-mile Putney to Chiswick course.

This year she will be at number three, with Mia at seven for the Light Blues, having been in the reserve crew 12 months ago.