Alec Dent, who rowed in the Isis boat for the past two years, has been elected as the new president of Oxford University BC to lead the Dark Blues into the Xchanging Boat Race against Cambridge next March.

Dent, 20, is in the final year of a three-year course in economics and management at Keble College.

He rowed at No 4 in the winning Isis boat in 2009, but lost out to Cambridge’s Goldie as stroke of this year’s crew.

Dent, who lives in Bampton, near Witney, said: “I’m really honoured to have been elected president and realise how much has to be done for us to win and how much responsibility falls on my shoulders.

“Over the past two years, I’ve learnt that winning is far more rewarding than losing and that you need perseverence to get the result you want.”

Dent was born close to the Boat Race course at Hammersmith, but spent his childhood in Paris.

Since starting his rowing career ten years ago at the Dragon School Oxford, he rowed at Harrow School and has also competed in the Prince Albert Challenge at Henley.

Next year’s Boat Race takes place on Saturday, March 26 (5pm).