Apr 3, 2016HTBS

The Women’s Boat Race: The Calm Before The Storm

Pic 1. Mid-morning: Putney Embankment pictured from Putney Bridge.
Mid-morning: Putney Embankment pictured from Putney Bridge.

3 April 2016

This is the first part of Tim Koch’s belated three-piece picture report on Boat Race Day 2016 with emphasis on the Women’s Race which he followed from the press launch. The less tardy Chris Dodd’s report for HTBS on the men’s race is here.

Pic 2. At 11.30am the weather looks promising.
At 11.30am the weather looks promising.
Pic 3. At 2pm there was a heavy shower. The trophy for the men’s race is sheltered from the elements.
At 2pm there was a heavy shower. The trophy for the men’s race is sheltered from the elements.
Pic 4. The coin toss for stations. On the far left is Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Investment Management and one of the prime movers towards parity between the men’s and women’s races. On her left is David Searle, one of the Executive Directors of the Boat Race Company Ltd (and a Cambridge Blue). On David’s left is the Women’s Race Umpire, Rob Clegg. On the right, with the microphone, is Barry Davies, veteran sports commentator and ‘Voice of the Boat Race’ between 1993 and 2004. Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey.
The coin toss for stations. On the far left is Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Investment Management and one of the prime movers towards parity between the men’s and women’s races. On her left is David Searle, one of the Executive Directors of the Boat Race Company Ltd (and a Cambridge Blue). On David’s left is the Women’s Race Umpire, Rob Clegg. On the right, with the microphone, is Barry Davies, veteran sports commentator and ‘Voice of the Boat Race’ between 1993 and 2004. Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey.
Pic 5. Watching the Osiris-Blondie coin toss.
Watching the Osiris-Blondie coin toss.
Pic 6. Oxford boats.
Oxford boats.
Pic 7. Cambridge too.
Cambridge too.
Pic 8. Oxford Women’s Reserves, Osiris, come out of Imperial College Boat House. On the left is Vesta Rowing Club, in the middle, Thames.
Oxford Women’s Reserves, Osiris, come out of Imperial College Boat House. On the left is Vesta Rowing Club, in the middle, Thames.
Pic 8. Oxford Women’s Reserves, Osiris, come out of Imperial College Boat House. On the left is Vesta Rowing Club, in the middle, Thames.
London Rowing Club viewed from the water. I am not sure who sponsors them.
Pic 9a and 9b. For the Women’s Race, a dark blue flag flew at St Mary’s, Putney, and a light blue one at All Saints, Fulham, the churches at opposite ends of Putney Bridge. As Chris Dodd explained, ‘they signified the stations of crews, not the Cross’.
For the Women’s Race, a dark blue flag flew at St Mary’s, Putney………
Pic 9a and 9b. For the Women’s Race, a dark blue flag flew at St Mary’s, Putney, and a light blue one at All Saints, Fulham, the churches at opposite ends of Putney Bridge. As Chris Dodd explained, ‘they signified the stations of crews, not the Cross’.
……. and a light blue one at All Saints, Fulham, the churches at opposite ends of Putney Bridge. As Chris Dodd explained, ‘they signified the stations of crews, not the Cross’.
Pic 10. Spectators on Putney Bridge.
Spectators on Putney Bridge.
Pic 11. Sir Matthew Pinsent, Women’s Boat Race Assistant Umpire, and Christine Wilson, Oxford University Women’s Boat Club Coach.
Sir Matthew Pinsent, Women’s Boat Race Assistant Umpire, and Christine Wilson, Oxford University Women’s Boat Club Coach.
Pic 12. For the first time this year, the timing was automated. I was surprised and delighted to be asked to help with the back up to this technological advance using the old-fashioned stopwatch method. The timing points are the Mile Post, Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick Steps, Barnes Bridge and the finish.
For the first time, this year the timing was automated. I was surprised and delighted to be asked to help with the back up to this technological advance using the old-fashioned stopwatch method. The timing points are the Mile Post, Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick Steps, Barnes Bridge and the finish.
Pic 13. On the stake boat, Cambridge indulging in some last minute bonding.
On the stake boat, Cambridge indulging in some last minute bonding.
Pic 14. The culmination of thousands of hours of training – on the start and ready to go.
The culmination of thousands of hours of training – on the start and ready to go.

Tim’s picture report on the race itself will be posted tomorrow.

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