The Annual Non-Event Takes Place Today.....

[10ClarionSt]

....the university boat race, which has no meaning whatsoever. The BBCs' coverage is just a complete waste of licence payers money.

[newmodarmy]

Is it more of a waste than other sports coverage?

[10ClarionSt]

Absolutely. It's just for snobs and arrogant upper class loonies. It has no impact on world/domestic sport whatsoever. Like the Henly Regatta. But we don't have that foisted upon us by the BBC, although you never know!

[barry1010]

No, it's a huge money maker.  This is from 2010 but it is still sold across the world, the boat race has a lot of fans.

"Last year's Boat Race was sold to over 150 countries including China, Russia, Croatia, the USA and Italy and this year's event will be aired on BBC World News and BBC America for the very first time."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2010/03_march/boat_race.shtml

[newmodarmy]

Bit if a sweeping statement there 10cs. As a child I used to love watching it . I didn't know about class or snobbery then.

 

[10ClarionSt]

It's still a class/snobbery thing. Looks as though other countries find that fascinating, for some reason.

[LadyCG]

I like the boat race. 🛶

 

[barry1010]

Some inverted snobbery towards the boat race,  Sir Stephen Redgrave is a builder's son who competed in the the Henley Regattas and went on win 9 Olympic gold medals.  

Sir Matthew Pinsent, son of a vicar and educated at Eton and  Oxford - competed in the boat races, went on to win 4 gold medals at the Olympics.

 

[douglas9401]

I'm hesitant to stick my oar in.

[davebro3]

someone just had to stick their oar in 🤣

[davebro3]

beat me to it doug

[barry1010]

That's not like you, douglas. Go on, have a punt

[sandyRoe]

That tradition of the winning team throwing their cox into the water after the race, will it be abandoned in view of the pollution in the Thames?

[douglas9401]

I can see the headline now Sandy:

Filthy Cox Essential To Win.

[newmodarmy]

Yes not safe to throw their cox in the water....maybe just dip their cox in the water for a few seconds at most, then shower after

[barry1010]

sandy, they have advised to stay out of the Thames this year.  We shall see

[bhg481]

Do you know I've been watching the boat race for about 70 years now and I didn't know the boat crews had to be either very rich or know a very important person before they were allowed to row.

 

[barry1010]

We should know our place by our headwear, bhg.  Top hats and straw boaters - rowing and cricket.

Flat caps and bobble hats - football and greyhound racing, maybe a bit of wrestling at the town hall.

[Peter Pedant]

funny - forty years ago I read an article about whether it bound across strata of society - sport

You might say - swilly rovers play today - so what, I am in the North.

I root for the light blues

[Peter Pedant]

o for chrissakes, just go down the pub Clarion !

[jno]

this year they'll be competing to see who can walk the furthest on the water while wearing gas masks. The world will be watching.