Oxford rower Magnus Fleming believes the Dark Blues will have the advantage in Saturday’s 153rd Boat Race - sponsored by Xchanging - thanks to their lighter crew.

The American’s comment, which contradict the traditional thinking that heavier is better, came shortly after the weigh-in at west London’s Hurlingham club today (Tuesday) when the Cambridge eight tipped the scales at 750.8kg, an average of 4.3kg per man more than Oxford.

“I really like that they are so much heavier,” said the 26-year-old post-graduate from Eugene, Oregon. “Looking at them, I feel we have the advantage. I think we are really svelte and lean.

“Why have excess weight? We’re as strong as we are going to be, whatever the weight, so what difference does it make?”

Fleming, who pointed out that nine of the last 14 races have been won by the lighter crew, added: “Weight is said to be an advantage in a headwind but it’s not just a headwind course. The wind comes from all directions.

“We all feel really strong and focused. The last two weeks has been by far and away the best rowing we have done. That’s all we can ask for.

“Things have gone really well this week,” added Fleming. “We shuffled things around and it’s worked out great.”

Fleming’s comments were backed by fellow-American Adam Kosmicki, who praised coach Sean Bowden’s decision to change the seat order. “With Sean we are all always extremely confident,” said the 22-year-old financial economics student from Massachusetts.

“There’s something about him that is so trust inspiring. We are extremely confident in his preparations.

“If Sean says something is going to work then it usually does. And in this case too, it did, immediately.”

Kosmicki, who has won the Harvard-Yale race for Harvard in both 2005 and 2006, added that he’s looking forward to racing in front of 250,000 people.

“It should be fun. The crowds will be big but I will just have my head down in the middle of the boat so it won’t bother me. I’m sure it will only add to the experience.”

The 153rd Boat Race gets underway at 4.30pm on Saturday (7th April).