The Oxford Cambridge Boat race 2016
Its that time of year again when Putney hosts the start of the Boat race between Oxford & Cambridge, for those of you who are unsure on what this is i have put some interesting facts about the boat race together for your enjoyment.
Myself personally i have followed the the boat race since i was small and enjoyed watching it on the tele and then eventually getting the chance to actually live by the start line and experience it every year. It is by far one of the best events in Putney's ever growing calendar.
This year i will be floating around the event, if anyone wants to come say hi please look out for me
(I might even buy you a beer haha only one though).
so here are my top facts about the boat race everyone should know.
1, The fastest recorded time is 16 minutes 19 seconds set by Cambridge in 1998.
2, The slowest time recorded was 26minutes 5 seconds set by Cambridge in 1860.
3, The boat race started in 1829.
4, The official start and finish lines are marked by stones on the south bank of the river, they have "UBR" written on them standing for "University Boat Race"
5, The rowing clubs’ presidents toss an 1829 gold sovereign coin for the right to choose which side of the river they row on.
6,One of the most controversial races was in 1877; 41 years after the race began. The judge, “Honest John Phelps” was allegedly asleep under a bush when the race ended, announcing that the result was "a dead-heat to Oxford by 5 feet."
7, There have been many famous faces compete in the boat race, including Mathew Pinsent CBE, Lord snowdon and Hugh Laurie.
Know you now some facts its time for you to choose a team to cheer for, failing that just come and watch a good afternoons worth of competitive sport.
