Feminising The Oxford, Cambridge Boat Race.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boat-race-2015-the-tide-has-finally-turned-for-britains-female-rowers-10156376.html

Nothing wrong in presenting a women's Oxford/Cambridge boat race, but should the traditional men's race be high-jacked in such a way as being rowed downriver, with the tide?

/// Robert Gillespie, chairman of the Boat Race Company, agreed that holding the men’s and women’s races on the same day was “good for rowing, for gender equality, and for sport as a whole”. ///

/// “The women will not achieve the same times and top speeds as the men, but this is not the ambition in moving them to the Tideway [the downriver, tidal part of the Thames],” he said. “The Women’s Boat Race is no less competitive and the athletes train and prepare in the same way, holding themselves to the same standard as the men. The move to the Tideway will showcase this and offer the same opportunities to both men and women.”

[SeaJayPea]

In what way is the men's race being hijacked? All that's happening is that there will be another race on the same day. There is already one, with Isis and Goldie - the B-teams as it were, going against each other earlier. Why ever not?

[anotheoldgit]

/// In what way is the men's race being hijacked? ///

I think that Claire Balding has made it perfectly clear.

*** Clare Balding, the face of the Grand National since the late 1990s, has decided this year to present the Boat Race instead, defending her decision by tweeting: “For the record, the Grand National doesn’t need my help, women’s sport does.” ***

[boxtops]

When I saw the headline that the Boat Race is being "feminised", I thought you meant it would be a mixed crew. What's the matter with what they are proposing? There is already a ladies' race, same as women's rugby, women's cricket. I don't get what your objection is.

[boxtops]

It isn't. naval. The men's race isn't being moved.

[boxtops]

I have no idea, naval! In many sports, the women's finals are held after the men's on the same day - no idea why AOG thinks that the men's race is being hijacked.

[jno]

I don't understand the question either. As far as I can see, the men's race hasn't changed; the women's race has been moved. Am I missing something?

[jno]

I suppose having Clare Balding presenting a different sport does amount to a major upheaval in British life, though I don't think it's one I'd start a thread about.

[boxtops]

...and there's no hijacking at all involved. I don't see the point of the question.

[anotheoldgit]

naval

/// Jno - the blatant sexism of the OP perhaps? ///

I wondered how long it would be before the usual rude and offensive remarks would be trawled out by the usual rude and offensive ABer.

[Gromit]

What you are calling the Mens race, has actually had many female coxes, since the first one over 30 years ago. There is nothing in the rules to stop female rowers being chosen, though none have been.

[jomifl]

Perhaps Claire Balding could start by 'feminising' herself.

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps some of you should read what I actually put.

/// Nothing wrong in presenting a women's Oxford/Cambridge boat race, but should the traditional men's race be high-jacked in such a way as being rowed downriver, with the tide? ///

[TheChair]

Nice remark, jomifl. I wonder if you're that rude about people in real life, or do you just show your true colours when you can hide behind the anonymity of the Net?

[Peter Pedant]

// When I saw the headline that the Boat Race is being "feminised", I thought you meant it would be a mixed crew. //

No I thought AOG had just noticed the second boat is called Goldie
and he thought it was a new name change

Hey everyone have you noticed that the Oxford second boat is called Isis so does that mean we are Jihadi-is-ing all those impressionable young men ( and ladies ! ) at our two oldest universities ?

I think the Daily Mail should tell us ....

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// What you are calling the Mens race, has actually had many female coxes, since the first one over 30 years ago. There is nothing in the rules to stop female rowers being chosen, though none have been. ///

I am quite aware of that, and the reason that there have been female coxes yet no female rowers is because of the physical strength it needs to row, hence the need for the Women to row 'down river'.

Leave the traditional men's race to take place 'front stage' on the day of the race as always.

For those who are interested in the women's race let that take place on a different day, after all one would not expect the women's football cup final to take place on the same day as the FA cup final.

[Peter Pedant]

// As far as I can see, the men's race hasn't changed; the women's race has been moved. Am I missing something?//

yes you are missing the fact that the original poster is dear old AOG.

and can anyone tell me why he hates Clare Balding ?
( *** Clare Balding, [AOG] )