Joanna's varsity race joy

Joanna's part in victory over Oxford by two and a third lengths came less than a month after the family were shattered by news of the death of her father, the Rev Philip Wood.

Joanna returned to Gonville and Caius College the day after taking part with her mother, Debbie, and sister Melanie, in her father's funeral service, which packed St Augustine's Church to overflowing.

Having lost two week's of essential training because of the tragedy, Joanna was immediately plunged into a punishing routine, getting up at 5am daily to catch the 6am train to Ely, training there then returning to do a full academic day - she is reading history - and then going to the gym for fitness training in the evening.

With pride, her mother spoke this week of Joanna's achievement.

"If you can imagine everything she has gone through in recent weeks. She went back the day after Philip's funeral. It is a huge achievement for anyone to gain their Blue. In her situation we simply cannot believe it."

Overshadowed in terms of national media coverage by the men's event over the Putney to Mortlake course- the University Boat Race - the women's event forms part of a five-race series at Henley.

The Royal Course is from Henley to Temple Island.

Debbie explains: "Melanie and I went up on Friday. It is pretty stupendous. It is last of the races - and Cambridge had lost the others.

"Not only were Oxford the heavier crew they were also the more experienced. Cambridge only had one previous Blue.

"Because of the layout of the course, spectators cannot actually see the finish line. We stood on the river bank. We thought Cambridge were in the lead as they passed us but after that we couldn't be sure. We didn't dare to hope.

"It wasn't until they rowed back on their 'lap of honour' so to speak that we could see that Cambridge were leading.

"I think it gave Oxford a bit of a shock because they were such a big crew and Cambridge only had one returning Blue."

It was the first time Cambridge had won the women's varsity race in three years.

Joanna hadn't rowed until she went to Cambridge.

She became interested and got into Gonville and Caius' Novice B crew in her first Michaelmas Term. By the following May term she was in the Women's B before gaining a seat in the First Eight.

Joanna attended Little Common School and St Richard's Catholic College before going to Bexhill College. She said of the win: "A dream come true and I still can't believe it!"

"My introduction to rowing during Freshers Week set me on course for the 'life of a boatie' and I seem to have taken to it...

"A great row at the Women's Head of the River Race in early March put the Blue Boat in 5th place overall and winners of the University Pennant but most importantly defeating Oxford by 27 seconds. This was proof of good training and most importantly team spirit and cemented the view that we could win against an Oxford crew which included experienced national and international rowers-possibly the strongest boat on paper in the history of the races.

"The day was somewhat surreal as the culmination of six months training depended on just over six minutes of racing with no second place. The win and the Cambridge Blue are now a reality '“ but, I still can't believe it!"