Reubenite to represent Oxford in The Boat Race for second year running

Lilli Freischem (DPhil in Atmospheric Physics, 2022) will represent Oxford University for the second year running in the 80th Women's Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, racing in the three seat. On being selected, she said she felt honoured and excited to row for both the University and Reuben College again.

Last year, Lilli became the first woman from Reuben College to compete in The Boat Race. Before being selected for the Blue Boat in 2025, she had already represented the University twice in the Women’s Reserve Boat, including their win in 2024.

This year brings another special moment for Lilli, as she will be competing against her sister, Mia Freischem (Darwin College, Cambridge). The pair will be the first siblings to compete against each other in The Boat Race for 22 years. 

Speaking to The Times, Lilli said: 

We’re very supportive of each other. We’re probably each other’s biggest fans. But as soon as we line up, all you think about is the race and giving it your best.

The Boat Race will take place on Saturday 4 April, broadcast live on Channel 4 and Times Radio. Lilli will race in the Women’s Race, which is scheduled to start at 14:21.