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In a classic Boat Race Day, fans of the event enjoyed not only Putney but also Fulham, Barnes, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Mortlake.
4 April 2024
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch’s triptych of Boat Race Day 2024.
Putney, 9.15am. Cambridge return from a gentle early morning paddle. Their next outing would be less gentle.Cambridge coach Rob Baker gives the last of many debriefs to his boys.
Putney People
Donald Legget (CUBC 1963 and 1964) has been actively involved with Cambridge’s Boat Race preparations for a remarkable 61 years.Possibly, Matthew Holland (CUWBC 2017, CUBC 2019) intends to break Donald Legget’s record. He is one of the BBC’s Boat Race commentators and is on the Boat Race Umpires’ Panel. Although a Doctoral Student at Oxford since 2020, Holland shows no signs of coxing for the Dark Side.Nick Holland (no relation to Matthew as far as I know) rowed for Isis in 1980 and Oxford in 1982. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Old Blues of both shades are wearing their hard won blazers on Boat Race Day. At worst, they get their style tips from Luke Juckett (CUBC 2014, 2015 and 2016) as pictured here in 2019.The 2024 Women’s Boat Race umpire, Richard Phelps (CUBC 1993, 1994, 1995). As things later transpired, he was to need all his experience to rule on an incident during the race. Video playback eventually proved him correct.Proud parents, split loyalties. In the top picture are the parents of Gemma King, who was the Cambridge bow, and of her twin sister, Catherine, who was in the “2” seat for Oxford’s Osiris. Remarkably, both girls won. In the lower picture are the parents of the Cambridge men’s cox, Ed Bracey. Dad, Andrew, coxed Cambridge in 1991. Mum, Victoria, coxed the Oxford’s Isis, in 1991. Victoria was uncomfortable donning the Light Blue for the day, but mothers do make such sacrifices for their children.A Cambridge supporter gives a new meaning to the phrase, “Grin and bear it.”Men of Kent. Ben Kent (right) has been the race finish judge for twenty-five years. His flagman on the opposite bank is his son, Josh (left).
All being well, 2028 will see an historic centenary for the Kent family. In 1928, CW “Bill” Kent became the finish judge for the Boat Race, then only the fifth man to do this since amateurs took over from professionals in 1878. In 1952, CW Kent was succeeded as Boat Race finish judge by his son, John “Jack” de R Kent (OUBC 1932). Between 1968 and 1998 Jack’s son, John F Kent, was the finish judge and in 1999 he was succeeded by his nephew, BDJ (Ben) Kent (Isis 1987), who does the job today. Ben’s eldest son, Josh, has been the finish flagman since 2021 and will do the job again this year. He won the Fawley at Henley in 2013 and was in the silver medal winning GB U23 Coxed Four at the 2017 World U23 Championships. Whether Josh succeeds his father as the fifth Kent to be a Boat Race finish judge at some point in the future would ultimately be up to the Boat Race umpires’ panel.
The arrival of the Oxford stroke, Australian medic, Annie Anezakis, a mere 5ft 6in/168 cms.Oxford may be straining at the leash, but will they be the big dog in the fight?
Heads or Tails
The coin toss for stations in 2024 was a little more choreographed than it was one hundred years earlier in 1924.Men’s race umpire Matthew Pinsent spins the 1829 gold sovereign that was presented by the BBC’s “Voice of the Boat Race” between 1931 and 1980, John Snagge.The CUBC Men’s President, Seb Benzecry.Oxford was represented by James Doran, who won the toss and chose Surrey.
Going Afloat
The “Hard” at Putney Embankment awaits the crews. Oxford did row with straight oars, the bending effect is a result of my cameraphone’s “panorama” mode.Last minute clarifications between the Women’s Race umpire, Richard Phelps (left) and the two women’s Blue Boat coaches, Paddy Ryan (Cambridge, centre) and Allan French (Oxford, right).On the balcony of the Oxford Women’s base at Imperial College Boat Club, Oxford stroke Annie Anezakis awaits the call to arms.Cambridge go afloat from their base at Thames Rowing Club.Oxford draw blades.Oxford Women’s coach, Allan French, gave each of his girls a “fist bump” before they boated. Here he is with President Ella Stadler.Putney viewed from the press boat. I was allocated a seat in the press launch following the men’s race, the last of the day’s four races, so I would see little of the rest.The start of the Women’s Race.The Women’s Reserves Race on the start. Nearest the camera is Blondie (Cambridge) and in the foreground is Osiris (Oxford).The first stroke of the Women’s Reserves Race.The Men’s Reserves on the start. On the left is Goldie (Cambridge) and on the right is Isis (Oxford).Goldie and Isis a few strokes into their race.Top: In the Oxford launch, Bosporos, are the men’s coach, Sean Bowden (centre), and President, Louis Corrigan (left). Below: In the Cambridge launch, Amaryllis, are men’s coach, Rob Baker, and two Old Blues in the colourful caps and ties of the non-rowing rowing club, the Cambridge Archetypals. In the middle is Stephen Peel, CUB 1985, 1986, 1987, who founded Infinity Boat Club.Oxford on the stake boat.
Hear The Boat Sing 