UW alum Klipstine wins The Boat Race with Cambridge

LONDON - Badger alumni Will Klipstine helped the Cambridge University Boat Club Blue Boat win the 171st Boat Race on the River Thames, on April 4.

Klipstine graduated from Wisconsin in May of 2025 as an Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) First-Team All-American member. Klipstine was also UW's captain and a two time winner of Wisconsin's Norman Sonju Award for outstanding contribution to Badger rowing's success in leadership, dedication and sportsmanlike attitude.

Before stepping onto campus in the fall of 2021, the Middleton, Wisconsin, native had never picked up an oar. He walked onto the team as a freshman where he would soon grow into an extremely valuable member of the crew. At the 2025 Wisconsin Athletics Buckinghams Awards, Klipstine was named as the Male Student Athlete of the Year. Off the water, Klipstine graduated from UW with a degree in mechanical engineering. He now studies energy technologies at Cambridge.

"That is probably the most competitive boat to earn a seat in. There were guys who didn't make that boat that were under 23 champions from Great Britain," said UW head coach Beau Hoopman. "Will has rowed for four years and this is his fifth year and he made the most difficult boats to make in the world. It was tough conditions and he did an excellent job. He's been keeping in touch with his teammates here in Madison for the last nine months, all the trials they (Cambridge) have to go through, it's a lot of work. It's a full time job over there to make it happen. We are really proud of him."

Wisconsin has a history of Badgers in the Boat Race, but Klipstine is the first participant since 2022. Badgers have taken part in the event for Cambridge or Oxford 18 times dating back to 2003.

Straight from the shore:
Will Klipstine:
"It was different from other competitions I have done because there is so much focus on one day and one opponent. It was a strong and deep squad, and you were constantly reminded that there were more than two boats of athletes pushing to make the boats. Race day was surreal. The banks were lined with people and the conditions required us to really draw on all our training. It was a privilege to race with that crew and I was very proud to represent the Badgers."

Director of Rowing Chris Clark on what it takes to row in The Boat Race
"The Oxford Cambridge Boat Race is the progenitor of college athletics, it was the first intercollegiate contest of any kind, beginning in 1829. We are, above all, a development program at Wisconsin. We want gifted novices and high-potential high school oarsmen. To row in England, at either institution, is a natural extension of this process. Three years and nine months, the typical undergraduate rowing career, is not long enough to bring out the best in the best. To get this matchless academic and sporting opportunity like Will did is a game changer for him. When you become a Badger, it's for life. We will never stop supporting you, cheering for you, and helping you achieve all that you are aiming for."

Wisconsin Badgers in The Boat Race
2026
Will Klipstine - Cambridge (win)

2022
James Bernard - Cambridge

2018
James Letten – Cambridge (win)

2017
James Letten – Cambridge

Ben Ruble - Cambridge

2016
Luke Juckett – Cambridge (win)

Ben Ruble -- Cambridge (win)

2015
Luke Juckett -- Cambridge

Ben Ruble -- Cambridge

2014
Luke Juckett -- Cambridge

Steve Dudek -- Cambridge

2013
Steve Dudek -- Cambridge

2012
Steve Dudek -- Cambridge (win)

2011
Derek Rasmussen - Cambridge