U is for University Boat race
Don't catch a crab - Go for ten. There is an old joke that the outcome of the Annual Boat race is very predictable - as it is always Oxford or Cambridge.The annual race took place last year (2004) on 28th March at 6PM. This was very late, but is due to the tides on the river - and I was there !The crews are supposed to composed of students at the universities, but Oxford often draft in Americans on Mickey Mouse degrees who just happen to be Olympic standard Oarsman. The rivalry is intense - if you are new to it then it's worth getting hold of the film "True Blue" which tells the story of a particular year, when there was a 'mutiny' amongst one of the eights.The race itself is something of a marathon, being run from Putney to Mortlake a distance of four and a half miles. Access is good, and you will find the route lined with thousands of spectators. Most of them will have spent the best...
