The Boat Race - two and a half *hours*?

[nickyboy]

Well, yes and no. Yes they are clearly elite competitors at the top of their game. No it is not the only rowing race in the world but might as well be as far as the BBC is concerned, and that is for reasons to do with regular snobbery.

I'd certainly agree with you regarding the rugby varsity match which, frankly, is poor quality fare, not worthy of TV coverage and all about snobbery. But I think the rowing is of international standard and stands up as a sporting event in its own right.

The argument you make about rowing could equally be made about a range of sports that are UK-centric in terrestrial coverage. Footy for a start

 

[Speicher]

Try adjusting the colour control on your TV, Speicher!

Rollocks to you!

 

[Speicher]

Someone will be along in minute to tell me they are not called that.

 

[Paulus]

Plus I don't think it's fair that they throw the smallest person in the crew into the river. If they were true sportsmen/women they should throw the biggest one in.

Probably too tired way back in the past to pick on the biggest, so being the charmers they are, they threw the little guy instead.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Yeah but, it isn't even UK centric, it is Oxbridge centric. There has to be other international standard rowing in the country that doesn't get the attention.

There is, but hardly anyone would watch it. Rowing is not a sport that has mass popularity, the varsity boat race gets the attention it does because it has a long standing and famous tradition.

I did actually see a bit of it back in the sixties, West Ham were playing at Craven Cottage and you could see the river from the part of the ground the where Hammers fans were.

 

[Moon bunny]

We were in Henley a while back, crewing a steam launch for some nob or other, when we observed members of some rowing club wearing black and yellow striped jackets.
"They look like wasps" said Hover fly "and for pretty much the same reason, as a warning."

 

[NorthernDave]

To be fair, the boat race is just about the only sporting event left on the BBC so it's no surprise they want to milk it dry, sorry give it due coverage.

 

[glenn forger]

Got an Ayrton on Oxford each way.

 

[srw]

Well, yes and no. Yes they are clearly elite competitors at the top of their game. No it is not the only rowing race in the world but might as well be as far as the BBC is concerned, and that is for reasons to do with regular snobbery.

To be fair it is just about the only elite* rowing race that is tactical and where the weather, the tide and the current play a part. Most are deadly dull affairs rowed on flat, still water in lanes.

*within reason...

 

[srw]

Got an Ayrton on Oxford each way.

I'm off down the bookies to put a tenner on Oxford, win or place.

TMN to @PeteXXX

 

[glenn forger]

GODDAMMIT

 

[Lonestar]

They should do it in pedalos next year

Preferably with holes in...

 

[ufkacbln]

I had a Cambridge Education


Mainly in the pubs and the Corn Exchange, but still Cambridge

 

[Lonestar]

It must be ferking great to be so damn posh...

 

[HLaB]

Glad I forgot it was on and after going for a ride watched a bike race instead.