What’s the feeling for Saturday? Hard to see Cambridge preventing an Oxford 3 in a row.
Delighted to see a thread on this magnificent British sporting institution, and I’ll hopefully be able to provide a full preview at some stage. Looking forward immensely to the race on Saturday.
I’ll be glued to it come Saturday, but its hard to get as enthused as normal. Oxford just look far too strong.
Plenty of Irish interest in the form of Deaglan MacEachern, Cambridge president and a staunchly left-wing Irish-American history student who was a volunteer for John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election - that’s President of the United States of America by the way not President of Cambridge Boat Club. MacEachern then worked on Barack Obama’s victorious 2008 campaign. He’ll be hoping for another victory on Saturday.
Thoughts on this one please:
ROWING: Extra crew could spice up Boat Race
8:38am Thursday 1st April 2010
THE annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race may be expanded to include a third crew to spice the competition up, writes Richard Cox.
The traditional Varsity race between Mortlake and Putney was first held in 1829, but has always been a two-team clash between Oxford and Cambridge.
But one of the organisers, Roger Ore, believed it was now viewed as too elitest and he wanted to open it up to other universities or sixth form colleges.
Mr Ore said: “The Boat Race was always seen as a poor silly fad back in the 19th century, and I believe that most people today still think the same.
“We really need to liven it up a bit, and introducing a qualifying competition for other universities will certainly do that. We’re even thinking of entering the winning team from the University Challenge quiz.
“We will, of course, keep Oxford and Cambridge in the race, but having a third boat involved will add plenty of extra spice.”
However, old Oxford Blue James Rowlock said: “It would be a travesty if other, lesser, universities were allowed in.
“It was always meant to be for elitists. I won’t be watching it again if this happened.”
Fair play to Roger Ore, a man of iron will.
There’s nothing like it. Messing about on the river. A sport where there’s no danger of getting decapitated like a ruffian’s pursuit like, say, hurling. A sport where the only danger is catching Weil’s disease.
It’s that most quintessentially English sporting institution, but at the same time an occasion for the whole world. A day for pimms and cucumber sandwiches. but also couscous, paella and fig leaf, mango and snake stew. Fly the flags in the gentle Thamesian breeze. The St. George’s Cross. The butcher’s apron. And all the colours of the world. Globalisation has been a boon. Blazers blazing down the Thames on their bicycles following the action. Hearts throbbing with excitement and anticipation in over 200 countries. Diversity. Multiculturalism. Families divided. Liam is Oxford. Noel is Cambridge. Out on the Dingle peninsula the O’Ses are at each other’s throats over who’ll win. That’s the feeling it evokes. Oxford and Cambridge. The Boat Race.
Like the legend that is Martin Adams, the Boat Race showcases all that it is best about England. It’s the third biggest sporting event in the world after the World Cup and the Olympics. A worldwide television audience of two billion will hold their collective breaths, and Oxford and Cambridge supporters clubs in places like Caracas, Lagos, Ulan Bator and Inistioge will be packed to the rafters cheering on their heroes.
As the only man on this forum (apart from Link Walsh) who has Rower credentials, I think I can provide some insight into this most unique sporting event.
All through the year they train. The goal, the blue boat in early April. Throughout the winter the focus is on the “head” races, a time trial in lay man’s language. It’s here that stamina is crucial, and the cox has an important role to play in getting the crew to rise to the occasion. It takes serious balls to keep yourself going during the four odd miles of a head race. Concentration is important too, you really need to concentrate to keep the technique right. Stroke after stroke, up and down, up and down. To perfect the technique a rower needs to be at it every day.
Traditionally a cox was always male – about the same size as a jockey. God only knows how many potential Derby winners were lost to rowing over the years. Latterly the trend has been for a female cox, You’ll see more Tracy Piggots than Lester Piggots these days.
Once the head races end, the head to heads begin, all leading up to one day in April. Oxford go in favourites. The legacy of legendary coach Dan Topolski lives on. Four of the last five Boat Races and all the form says five out of six. Not quite up there with the 16 from 17 between ‘76 and ’92, but getting there.
Cambridge president Deaglan MacEachern provides the Irish, or Irish-American angle. MacEachern voluntered for John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential election - that’s President of the United States of America by the way, not President of Cambridge Boat Club, and followed it up by working on Barack Obama’s triumphant 2008 campaign. All year he has been preaching the mantra - “Yes We Can!”. Staunch socialist MacEachern will be hoping will be hoping Cambridge take up the left wing of the Thames on Saturday. He’s spent the last few nights walking around around the Bush, that’s Shepherd’s Bush, smashing up everything in sight, so great is his hatred of the last US President.
Boat Race officials are said to be worried by the destabilising presence of MacEachern in the run up to the likely re-election of the Tories. They have privately dubbed him a “domestic insurgent”, and the “no blacks, no dogs, no Irish” signs are expected to be up outside all the post-race socialising spots. In fact the word “socialising” is expected to be banned in the Putney, Hammersmith, Chelsea and Chiswick areas on Saturday in favour of “bantering” so as not to give MacEachern any encouragement. It looks like they’ve fallen into the Shane Lynch trap of believing a socialite is somebody who thrives on constant socialism. The Oxford boat will be checked for suspect devices before the race, especially as it contains some hardline Republicans of the American variety. Not IRA obviously.
So much depends on the mood of Old Father Thames. If he is cheerful, then we’ll get flat, glassy water. If he is angry, then conditions can become a nightmare. Who will ever forget the Cambridge boat sinking in the squall of 1978? Thankfully five of the crew were able to swim and the cox was light enough to float to shore. The three drownings that day have gone down in race folklore as proof of how this titanic clash “isn’t just a matter of life and death, it’s much more important than that”.
But it’s also a day of fun, of humour. That 1978 race is also remembered for the late Harry Carpenter’s famous remark: “Ah, isn’t that nice, the wife of the Cambridge president is kissing the cox of the Oxford crew." A day to let it all hang out.
The cox will be getting splashed for the whole race. It’s part of the job. In front of the cox, the crew. Stroke – the turbo-charged metronome. 4 and 5. 3 and 6. The middle four. The monsters. The bow pair – the ballast. The physics of a rowing crew – the science, has been perfected over the years. It’s because they’re worth it.
Although the three and half miles from Putney to Mortlake is a long race, a lot will depend on who wins the toss, I feel. It’s always a hotly contested topic of debate which station to take. I’m not talking about Euston or King’s Cross, but the Middlesex and Surrey stations or, in other words, starting positions. Starting from the northerly Middlesex station ensures the inside line on the first sweeping bend. The Craven Cottage association football venue is the first landmark where we’ll have an idea of who has the upper hand.
Then the crew on the southerly Surrey station get the advantage for the really big bend of the race, which starts at Hammersmith bridge. Another mile and a half or so later, and the advantage returns to the north bank for the final bollocks to the wall push to the finish.
Power 20s. Dig it out. By the time the crews reach Barnes Bridge, named after the legendary Celtic manager John, we’ll probably know the identity of the winner. A few more strokes later and the nineteen minutes of sheer hell will be over, and the oarsmen will be able to quench their thirst with some Lucozade Sport – it gets to your thirst fast.
Mort means death in French and by the time all 16 oarsmen reach Mortlake (the lake of desath) they’ll feel that they’ve died and gone to heaven or hell, depending on the result. The aim is to stay out of the Red grave. Win or lose, at the end of it all, we’ll see the ceremonial tossing of the cox into the water. Splish splash they’ll be taking a bath in the Thames, before they’re hosed down with Domestos later on. Coxes know to keep their mouths closed at this point, one can easily swallow a plop in there, which would be a really shite experience.
So there you have it. The course. The crews. The scene. 36 hours left. Ahead of us lies the Long Good Friday. Until then, there’s nothing more to do except wait. Lie, back, relax, think of England and it’s green and pleasant land, and a Tory victory this May. Saturday. 4:30pm. ITV. Be there.
Shocking lack of knowledge from Sid here not to realise that sitting in the number 2 seat for Oxford will be Rathgars own Martin Walsh. What a spoofer.
Good to see Irish representation. Notwithstanding local interest, i’ll be shouting for the light blues as usual.
You’re a Cambridge man then Manuel? What college?
Did you attend that college?
It was indeed a glaring omission from me not to mention the participation of Martin Walsh. Martin is a former Belvo boy and comes across as a thoroughly alright sort from his profile on the official Boat Race website. Traditionally I would be a light blues man but I wish both squads and Martin in particular the very best. One other mistake in my preview piece was that I incorrectly said the race would be on ITV. In fact it returns this year to its spiritual home on the BBC for the first time since 2004 and I’m delighted witth this news. Obviously I missed the announcement of the switching of the TV rights but I feel its right and proper that the Boat Race is back on the public service roadcaster where it belongs, rather than on the commercial network. BBC have done brilliantly to get one of their crown jewels back in the face of stiff competition. All the build up from 2:00.
Here’s a profile of the main man:
Martin Walsh
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, he began rowing as a ten-year-old. He has competed in the Junior and U23 Worlds as well as the Coupe de la Jeunesse. Martin supports Leinster Rugby Club and follows Gaelic Football. He enjoys also playing chess and curling. 
Place/DOB: 20/08/1985, Ireland
Home Town: Dublin
College: St. Catherine’s
Nationality: Irish
Year Enrolled: 2006
Course: Science of Medicine of Athletic Performance
Course Length: 2 years
School: Belvedere College
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 85kg
Yes
Chelsea’s victory at least means that there should be a carnival atmosphere around West London this sfternoon. Organisers had privately feared that a Manchester United victory would have meant ugly scenes as hordes of marauding Chelsea skinheads went on the rampage around the starting area at Putney. Thankfully that won’t be the case now.
What a cunt that Balding is. Utter cunt. Walsh seems to be a good ole silver spoon boy by the sounds of it.
Interview just now with the Winklevoss brothers, rowing for Oxford today, but famous for sueing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for stealing their ideas. Fair jews to them.
These idiots calling for a third university to enter the boat race should be drowned. The two ‘horse’ race that is the boat race is what gives it its special allure, perhaps it’s something to do with the duality of man or perhaps it harks to the old duelling of man, whatever it is, single combat is what’s required here. Introducing a third would be the killer blow to this event, was there a third man in when David slew Goliath? Did Conall Cernach enter the fray between Ferdia and Cuchulainn to make a three-way fight? No. The likes of the University of Hertfordshire would be as pointless in this contest between real heavyweights as the third horse was in the match between Dawn Run & Buck House. Indeed their clumsy participation would take from the heroic aesthetic of the event.
And we’re off. Dublin GAA people always have a healthy interest and adilemma in who to support due to the colours. Light blue v dark blue. I’m supporting the light blues as light blue has always been part of the Dublin colours as opposed to dark blue which only became part of the colours in 1974.
Oxford on Surrey, Cambridge on Middlesex.
Very disappointing to see this most British of institutions diluted by so many foreign nationals as it has been
Oxford already with the advantage “against the head” as we come to Craven Cottage. Looking bad for the light blues already.
Cambridge have held it at a 1/4 length but the long bend after Hammersmith bridge should tell.