Lyme-Old Lyme HS Grad Rows in Winning Oxford Boat at Famed UK ‘Boat Race’

Liam Corrigan (right) rowed for Oxford University in Sunday’s ‘Boat Race.’ This photo was taken during practice the day before. Oxford defeated Cambridge in the actual race, which was first rowed in 1829. Photo by B. Corrigan.

LONDON, ENGLAND/LYME/OLD LYME — The UK’s most prestigious rowing event known as ‘The Boat Race,’ was held on the River Thames this past Sunday, April 3.

The race, which features two teams, respectively from Cambridge and Oxford Universities, dates back to 1829 for the men’s event and 1927 for the women’s.

This year, Liam Corrigan, who graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) in 2014 and rowed for the US in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, was in the bow of the winning Oxford eight boat.

The Oxford boat approaches Hammersmith Bridge on the River Thames while competing in Sunday’s Boat Race. The Cambridge boat in the foreground remained in second (last) place throughout the race.

View the race at this link beginning at 1 hour 50 minutes on the video.

His parents, Brian Corrigan and Joan Rivington of Lyme, were there on the banks of the Thames to witness their son’s success.

The men’s Boat Race on the Thames has been held annually since 1856, except during the First and Second World Wars (although unofficial races were held during that time.)

It was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021 was held on the River Ely to reduce the crowds.

Liam rowed for both LOLHS and the Blood Street Sculls before going to Harvard University, where he was captain of the men’s team. He went on to be selected for the US Men’s Eight, which rowed in the Tokyo Olympics last year, taking fourth place.

It is noteworthy that Austin Hack of Old Lyme, a fellow LOLHS graduate — but from 2010 — was also selected for the same US Eight boat as Liam Corrigan at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Congratulations, Liam!