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Original poster

Boat race today!

186 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/04/2019 10:53

Who is watching? Women's race at 2:15, men's race at 3:15
Go light blues Wink

Weather is set for light winds but rather wet.

disclaimer: normally I have zero interest in boat racing.

OP posts:
MooseBeTimeForSnow · 07/04/2019 14:49

Don’t get me wrong, I think JC is a dick as well. Tricky isn’t it. Presumably there’s a long selection process to make the squad, so he’s clearly good enough. But was the Masters just a way to shoehorn him in ...

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/04/2019 14:49

Fingers crossed the rain stays away.

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/04/2019 14:50

I’m not keen on JC but they wouldn’t have picked him if he wasn’t the best. Bit weird though.

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General sports
megletthesecond · 07/04/2019 14:50

Aaw, I do like Carol Kirkwood. Looking fab in her waders.

CutSomeRug · 07/04/2019 14:50

My JC Jc Jc post was referring to the BBC coverage btw

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/04/2019 14:52

There are a number of undergrads aged 19- 21, let's focus on them. JC is only one person and it takes a team to row a race.

OP posts:
Myimaginarycathasfleas · 07/04/2019 14:53

James Cracknell is an interesting one. He’s recovered from a massive brain injury - actually, probably not recovered, just rehabilitated - which will have pretty much wiped out his Olympian advantage, but that’s what he’ll be remembered for. I think my problem is with his celebrity more than his achievements. It makes it hard (for me) to see him as an equal member of a team.

CutSomeRug · 07/04/2019 14:54

I dunno, I sort of feel that at 46 he’s had his moment in the sun. Should he really be rowing for the university? Let the youngsters have their moment. Mr Ego has to still be in the limelight.

ScreamingValenta · 07/04/2019 14:54

Well said, BadKitten.

ineedaholidaynow · 07/04/2019 14:54

CutSome I think that, feel sorry for the rest of the Cambridge crew. Can't imagine what he will be like if they lose, he is such a driven person

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 07/04/2019 14:59

Looking at the Oxford team changes, how gutting to be dropped from the team at such a late stage.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/04/2019 15:00

How do they bond as a team with late changes?

OP posts:
Ethelswith · 07/04/2019 15:01

Re:buoyancy aids

The Thames is a dangerous river with fast moving tides. Everyone who can should wear a buoyancy aid when on the water. A rowing coach died in 2016.

But elite rowers generally don't, and for a race such as this where there are plenty of safety boats, it's a managed risk. Extra kit around the shoulders can add seconds. But as the cox is not moving vigorously, there is no athletic reason for them to take the additional risk, so they don't.

The big risk is cold water shock - and if you cannot hold your head out of the water, it can get very serious rapidly. A properly fitting buoyancy aid should keep your face out of the water, buying time for rescue

GabrielleNelson · 07/04/2019 15:02

As someone who only watches rowing once a year, I'm stunned that James Cracknell is able to do this at 46 and only a few years on from a major brain injury which left him having to learn to walk, read and write again. Experience counts for a lot but hardly any 46 year olds could get fit enough to do this. I really don't think he'd be there unless he was up to it. Cambridge wants to win more than they want to give a celebrity a place on the Boat Race team.

TonTonMacoute · 07/04/2019 15:03

Agree about the total overkill on James Cracknell, DH has just said how unfair it is on the rest of the team apart from anything else.

Obviously I don't know the real facts behind his marriage break up, but I'm a bit tired of hearing how many sacrifices he has made to do this - he is coming across as incredibly selfish as far as I am concerned.

PickleFish · 07/04/2019 15:03

thanks, Ethelswith, that makes sense about the life jackets, and pretty much what I'd figured.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 07/04/2019 15:04

The team is bigger than the crew on the day Kitten, they will have been training together for a long time. A hell of a boost to get promoted though, even though it’s at someone else’s cost. I imagine that must be quite difficult psychologically for the individuals concerned.

CassandraCross · 07/04/2019 15:05

Seems strange to disrupt the Oxford team at such a late stage it not just the dropping of a rower it's the total rearrangement of the positions of the rowers in the boat, I wouldn't have thought that was a good idea.

Rooting for Cambridge but am a bit hmm at James Cracknell being included, the Masters seems a bit of a convenient shoe-in to me.

JaneJeffer · 07/04/2019 15:05

JC Superstar

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 07/04/2019 15:05

Gabrielle my thought precisely.

MirandaWest · 07/04/2019 15:07

My mum and dad are there watching (they are both very much light blues)

CutSomeRug · 07/04/2019 15:09

Come on dark blues.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 07/04/2019 15:09

The atmosphere will be amazing but it’s cooooold! Bit like Glasto, I love the idea of being there but know my limitations!

ScreamingValenta · 07/04/2019 15:10

"Cambridge on the tow-path, doing up their braces; Oxford on the river, winning all the races" Grin

Sorry, couldn't resist Wink.

CutSomeRug · 07/04/2019 15:10

(Although I agree the last min truffle shuffle in the do blue boat is unlikely to be of benefit)