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An obligatory notice on one of Cambridge’s minibuses sums up an event in which the student-athletes have been called “The Last Amateurs”. Some Dark Blues may suggest that their esteemed opponents need graphic instructions on how to open a door.
28 March 2024
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch has a selection of last-minute business before Saturday’s Boat Race.
Media
The lavish 76-page “Digital Programme” is now available for free download. I was flattered to be asked to contribute a history piece, one that I have called, “When The Boat Race Goes Wrong…”
The fourth and final episode of Turning The Tide, the “docu-series” telling the story of the 2024 Boat Race season, is on the Boat Race YouTube channel from 19.00 GMT (UTC+0) on Thursday 28th. Episode 1 is here, 2 is here and 3 is here.
Timetable
The 1878 Race did not run to time.
Conditions
1952 was not a good year for spectators or competitors.Beguine conditions are forecast for the races at 14.46. and 15.46 with the temperature at 14 Celsius / 57 Fahrenheit. Graphic: BBC.A predicted south-south-westerly breeze of 8 mph / 12.9 kph should not cause problems. Should the wind stay SSW but speed up, it may cause rough water from Chiswick Eyot to the finish.Recent heavy rain will see the flow rate of the river increase up to race day and beyond. The result will be relatively slow times as the races are run against the stream. Graphic: gaugemap.co.uk
Viewing In Person
Viewing the race from the Soap Works (later Harrods) in 1877.Barnes Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge will be closed on Boat Race Day, Hammersmith from 10am to 5pm.In addition to the well-established “fan zones” at Furnivall Green, Hammersmith, and Bishops Park, Fulham, there will be a new viewing area underneath Fulham Football Club’s Riverside Stand (adjoining Bishops Park and pictured here during the recent Head of the River Race). There will be food and drinks from numerous vendors and TV screens throughout the space.
Hear The Boat Sing 
Great Introduction!!
Stan Cwiklinski #3, Vesper Boat Club Olympic Championship Gold Eight, 1964,Tokyo.