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The University Boat Race

By: James Walsh

The History
What started as a friendly challenge between two friends two centuries back has now turned out to be one of the world’s major sporting events. It all began with two friends, Charles Merivale and Charles Wordsworth [nephew of William Wordsworth], who started the idea of having a boat race between the two universities.

On the 12th of March 1829, Cambridge challenged Oxford and it subsequently became a tradition every year where the loser of the previous year would challenge the winner for a match. Everything about the race still remains the same except that today it invites international attention and higher media coverage.

The first boat race took place at Henley at Oxfordshire. Oxford was declared as clear winners in this race. To celebrate the victory, the people of Oxford decided to organise a regatta. This celebration in due course of time came to be known as the famous Henley Royal Regatta.

On the Race Day, as it is so called, thousands of people gather on either banks of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake to witness the grand event. The recent race which took place on the 7th of April, 2007 was the 153rd race. It has been a tough completion year after year with Cambridge leading the scores 79-73. The Oxford team which won for two successive years in 2005 and 2006 failed to register a hat trick this time.

Initially the race was held at Westminster. However, due to overcrowding at this place, the race was moved six miles upstream to the country village of Putney. Moreover, the race which was once held on an irregular basis is now being held every year owing to its growing popularity in the last decade.

The Oxford Mutiny – Time for a Twist
In 1987, there was a major rumble within the Oxford team. Some of the top American oarsmen withdrew from the contest to protest the dropping of a fellow American from the team. As if this were not enough, the coach Dan Topolski was drawn into this conflict with the media blaming him for his selection and training methods.

The story had a surprise twist with Oxford going to the races with its reserve players and eventually winning it. Later, Dan Topolski gave his account on the incident writing his own book entitled True Blue: Oxford Boat Race Mutiny. This book was later shot into the movie, True Blue, in 1996.

The River Course
The river course between Putney and Mortlake, where the race takes place, is an S-shaped curve that stretches for an approximate distance of 6.8 kilometers. The race is just not against the other team but also against the strong current in the Thames. The University Stone which is located a few hundred yards from the Putney Road Bridge marks the start point for the race. On the other hand, the Finish Line is located close to the Chiswick Road Bridge.

The Oxbridge Selection Process
In September, even before the term begins, the first invitation for training is sent out. Each university selects around 20 members. These members are put through a rowing test at the British Indoor Rowing Championships where each candidate is expected to row for two kilometres on the indoor rower. The indoor rower, also known as the ergometer, is a device that is used to measure the amount of energy generated by the rower.

During the month of December, two crews from the same university race with each other for the entire stretch of the river course between Putney and Mortlake. During Christmas, these crew members are sent abroad for further training where the final selection list is made ready. The members in the final list get back home to race against the top teams in the UK and abroad.

The teams from both the universities have a backup team in the event of a team member falling sick or sustaining an injury. The Oxford reserve team is known as the Isis and that of the Cambridge is known as the Goldie.

The Results
The Cambridge crew holds the records till date by finishing the race in an astounding 16 minutes and 19 seconds in 1998. They broke their own record by a close 26 seconds. The last race, which was again won by Cambridge, saw the race completed in 17 minutes and 49 seconds.

The next race is to be held on the 29th of March, 2008. Are record books going to be re-written? We can only wait and watch.

Article Source: http://www.article-exposure.com

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are a UK or Overseas student applying for a place in a UK University, to stand out from the thousands of others, it is essential to have striking Personal Statement, for more information and professional guidance, see www.personal-statement.co.uk

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