NICK Brodie believes he is finally ready to take up the day job' but admits a Boat Race victory will make it a far sweeter transition.

The 21-year-old from Shrivenham has his date with destiny between Putney and Mortlake this afternoon as he looks to guide Oxford to a University Boat Race triumph.

And after four years as a student at Oxford combining his geography study with efforts to win one of the world's most famous amateur sporting traditions, Brodie admits he is ready for a new chapter.

But all thoughts of starting a new career will be blocked out of his head this evening as he looks to end four years of misery as cox of the Dark Blue boat.

He said: "I am finally ready to say goodbye to all this. In a way I am looking forward to doing something new and I have never felt like that before.

"When we lost last year it was a terrible feeling and very soon after that I knew I had to come back. Somehow things feel a little different this time.

"I have been a student now for four years and it is strange when you look at the 18-year-olds that are just starting out. I look at them and think maybe it is time I moved on."

Brodie jets out to Africa early next week as part of a project in his post-graduate diploma in Dryland Science management and from there he is looking forward to living last in the fast line.

"I want to head to the city," he said. "I don't know why because it is not something I want to do forever but I feel it is something I should do for a while.

"I am at that stage in my life where I want to experience the London lifestyle and everything that goes with that.

"After spending the last four years studying and rowing I want to go out to work.

"If anyone is reading this though, feel free to offer me a job!"

Strong winds are forecast for today's 154th University Boat Race with Oxford strong bookies' favourites to cross the finish line first.

While an Oxford victory would see them have won three of the last four races, Brodie himself is yet to win one, having lost last year's main event and the two previous reserve clashes.