Clare Balding - Live webchat on Monday 9 July, 1.30 - 2.30

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted that Clare Balding is joining us for a live webchat next Monday 9 July at 1.30pm. Clare has been a presenter, writer and broadcaster for more than 15 years. Since becoming the face of the BBC's racing coverage in 1998 she's become known as one of Britain's leading sports presenters, and has gone on to work on four Olympic Games, three Paralympics and three Winter Olympics. From horse racing to rugby league, swimming to golf or to tennis, she is renowned for being able to turn her hand to any sport.

Since 2010 Clare has hosted Crufts for the BBC, and on More4, and has become established as one of the UK's leading presenters of live major events, such as the Lord Mayor's Show and Trooping the Colour. Clare will be presenting on the London 2012 Olympics for the BBC and hosting the Paralympics for Channel 4.

This September, Clare will release My Animals and Other Family, a funny and tender memoir of her early years, the pets and animals around her and the life lessons they taught her.

Put the date in your diary to join Clare next Monday, 9 July at 1.30 pm or post your question in advance on this thread.

[ClareBalding]

@lilibet

Hi Clare

Another Rugby League question, this time from a Wiganer.

When you started presenting rugby league my husband rolled his eyes and was generally very dismissive, now he thinks that you are wonderful and do really seem to love the game and to know your stuff, I of course knew that you were wonderful all along and it's good to be proven right.

Do you think that the RFL should take some of the blame for the Bradford Bulls situation seeing that they granted them a licence 12 months ago?

Follow up question - next time you are within arm's reach of Robbie Hunter Paul would you please give his bum a pinch from me.

I won't pinch Robbie's bum but yes, you can tell your husband and anyone else that I do genuinely love rugby league. I try not to get involved in the politics of the sport as, like so many other sports, it's a bloody minefield!

[ClareBalding]

@Justfeckingdoit

Hi Claire

Love you too!

How do refrain from beating Willie Carson over the head when he keeps interrupting you?

And is Frankel the best horse you have ever seen?

I love Willie but it is like working with a small child sometimes....
We only have two more days together on television and I will miss him when it's all over. I think he has an incredible ability to switch from deep insight to the jocular and he's a great communicator.

Yes, Frankel is the best I've ever seen.

[Justfeckingdoit]

[ClareBalding]

@AbigailAdams

Hi Clare.

How do you cope with the casual sexism and homophobia in sport in general and especially sport in the media?

Love your work btw (another Twitter stalker follower here).

You've probably seen from my timeline on twitter that sometimes I confront the sexist/homophobic abusers and sometimes I just ignore. I've taken to copying in @stonewalluk so that they have a record of the abuse and if they want to take it further, they can. It also helps them collate evidence of homophobic bullying. With the casual sexism, I try not to get uptight about it and just prove that as long as I do my homework well, I'm good enough to do any job and hopefully I am selected on the basis of that, not on the basis of my gender.

[ClareBalding]

@ClareBalding

[quote GrumpyOldHorsewoman]
Another Racing 'Professional' here.

Without gushing, you do a superb job on the BBC (not sure I'd be quite so patient with Willie!), but now the party's over, do you intend to continue a role within racing or are you a BBC devotee? Channel 4 present a good show (between all the adverts), but some of their presenters are of a distinctly higher calibre than others - have you been approached by either them, ATR or RUK and would you ever consider it, or do contracts not permit it?


On a sneaky 2nd question kind of note, did Jilly Cooper have much to impart (or you to her) when you were sat together at the Darley lunch last year??

Oh yes.....!
[/quote]

Just realised I put half the answer to this in the wrong box so here it is again:

I'm freelance so in theory anything is possible but it's all up in the air at the moment. Luckily, it seems that quite a lot of projects are in the pipeline for next year and I'm going to be more Countryfile filming, which hopefully might include some racing stories.

[recall]

Claire, did you want to cry when you heard Andrew's speech yesterday ?

[ClareBalding]

@sanguinechompa

Thank you Mumsnet Towers!! Can't wait!!

Agree Clare Balding is one of the best presenters around (and not irritating or silly or fluttering their eye lashes like a lot of 'em)

Question:
I'm horse-mad, pro-eventing and national hunt racing, but the sad deaths of horses at the Grand National this year gave me pause for thought. What was your reaction? It was a controversial subject on this forum, see this thread and I had a hard time defending the racing industry given the circumstances. What are your views and what do you think should happen next year given that more "safety" measures seem to lead to more fatalities?

I was very upset by it this year and last. I wonder if lowering the fences was a mistake. The false starts in the last few years have been embarrassing and they add to the tension building up before the race and the pace at which they then set off. Speed seems to be the issue, so I would consider moving the start to the Melling Road, putting the tape on the far side but not letting the field cross the near side of the road until the starter says "Go". Anyone who does is penalised and put to the back of the pack - as they would be on the grid in F1. It's worth trying....

[ClareBalding]

@HotheadPaisan

No question, just huge appreciation for being out, it matters.

BTW, I came up with the Twitter #GoClare hashtag which trended briefly during that AA Gill incident, I can die happy in that knowledge

You star! Thank you for that.
x

[ClareBalding]

@recall

Claire, did you want to cry when you heard Andrew's speech yesterday ?

I did cry. Luckily my microphone wasn't faded up at the time but I was a blubbering wreck.

[TigerFeet]

Oh hello Clare! I love brie too! Especially at Christmas, with a dollop of cranberry sauce. I leave it until it can walk on it's own before I eat it. Bloody gorgeous.

I luffs you and I am a bit excited

What did you think of Sue Barker's interview of Roger Federer yesterday? Should she have acknowledged his enormous acheivement more?

[stealthsquiggle]

As a result of this I have just googled the AA Gill dispute (good for you) and realised in the process that your partner is a R4 news reader. How did you meet - clearly both in the media, but pretty far removed from each other in what you do - is there a romantic BBC Canteen story in there somewhere [nosy]?

BTW, you can buy those biscuits outside of selection tins - brand name pirouline

[recall]

will you be at the rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the games on the 25th ?

[ClareBalding]

@NomenOmen

Hello Clare.

I would like to repeat all the enthusiastic praise: you are one of a very few presenters on television or radio whom I always enjoy watching or listening to. You have a great talent.

I would also like to echo Mme Lindor's sentiments about the scandalous way in which women in sport (and other arenas, of course!) are represented - or not represented, as the case may be. I'd be interested to hear you comment more on this.

My question, however, is about how you see your role: do you feel under pressure to fulfil certain expectations and to meet certain standards as a woman and a lesbian which your male peers - straight or not - simply don't have to? I think you are - deliberately or not - an excellent role model, but I imagine that could become a tiresome burden at times!

Thanks.

I never feel it's a burden and sometimes I wonder if it helps. I have never been a flirt so it's not as if I would get giggly in an interview but I guess I benefit from not having anyone think that I'm commenting about a male tennis player or rugby player for any other reason than their talent on the field of play.
I fear there is always a bit more excitement when Alice and I go out than when Hazel Irvine or Sue Barker step out with their husbands but such is life. I genuinely think it's changed over the last few years as people have just got used to the idea.

[sanguinechompa]

[jumps up and down with delight with mini-Sanguine-Chompa (aged eight) at having question answered by wonderful Clare!!]

Thank you!!! Yes we were speculating on previous Grand National thread that lowering the fences seems to have sped things up, possibly causing more accidents. Brilliant idea to move start to Melling Road and moving tape to far side with penalties for those that don't comply!! Hope the Aintree authorities take you up on that one!

[thestringcheesemassacre]

Thanks for answering my question Clare.

Quick relook at my Frankel vs Black Caviar one.

[ClareBalding]

@stealthsquiggle

As a result of this I have just googled the AA Gill dispute (good for you) and realised in the process that your partner is a R4 news reader. How did you meet - clearly both in the media, but pretty far removed from each other in what you do - is there a romantic BBC Canteen story in there somewhere [nosy]?

BTW, you can buy those biscuits outside of selection tins - brand name pirouline

It's the Ciggarrillos biscuits I like (just googled them)
Alice and I met when I was on a BBC panel show and she was there. We were friends for two years (I waited!) before we became a couple.

[ClareBalding]

@TigerFeet

Oh hello Clare! I love brie too! Especially at Christmas, with a dollop of cranberry sauce. I leave it until it can walk on it's own before I eat it. Bloody gorgeous.

I luffs you and I am a bit excited

What did you think of Sue Barker's interview of Roger Federer yesterday? Should she have acknowledged his enormous acheivement more?

It's always hard with live PA interviews because you're so aware of the sound coming out of the speakers and given that she probably had an editor screaming in her ear about Andy's tears, I think she did well to remember his name was Roger!

[NomenOmen]

Thanks for answering, Clare.

[ClareBalding]

@aristocat

Another fan of yours here too

Except for Racing, which is your favourite sport?

I've worked at Wimbledon for 5 Live for the past 17 years and I do really enjoy the gladiatorial nature of tennis. Love the way it ebbs and flows & how the key people stay around for long enough for you to really get to know them

[ClareBalding]

@recall

I think you are great Claire, you have a way of interviewing and discussing people that is really intimate like they are all old family friends, you bring a real personal touch to it. You are a national treasure ( gush)

Thank you. I think doing Ramblings on Radio 4 for so long (started in 99) has helped my interview technique. I walk with people for four hours or more, we record for 2 hours and the programme is 28 mins so you get the best of the chat but it has helped me be patient, to let people reveal what they want to reveal over time and not to interrupt or rush.

[countingto10]

Hi Clare

do you have any unfulfilled ambitions or "bucket list" things to do?

Ps massive Clare fans in this house too! going to really missed your insights/behind the scenes stuff on racing!

[ClareBalding]

@MirandaLadyA

Hi Clare :) Big fan of yours.
If you had to commentate one sport for the rest of your life what would it be?

I'm hoping I never have to limit myself to just one...

[TigerFeet]

I've really enjoyed your commentary on the tennis on R5live