Call to power
29-03-2008, 15:16
Oxford and Cambridge are braced for rough conditions in the 154th Boat Race, with Oxford considered the favourites to win on the River Thames.
Gusts of up to 45 mph are expected, which will mean rough water through the second half of the course.
Bookmakers' odds of a sinking have shortened rapidly in the days leading up to the race, although it is 30 years since Cambridge were the last crew to sink mid-race.
Cambridge coach Duncan Holland's attempt for victory in his debut race in 2006 was ruined by his crew's poor response to rough conditions.
But the light blue boat is fitted with three water pumps this year and the crew have been well briefed.
Holland explained: "We have a playbook - tactics, situations, scenarios.
Cambridge suffered a major blow on Wednesday when stroke Shane O'Mara was ruled out on medical grounds, forcing them to move Ryan Monaghan from the reserve crew into the crucial seat.
But Oxford's Bowden said: "If we lost a guy we'd still believe that we could go and win the race.
"So why should we think that Cambridge will stop believing they can win?" (fighting words!)
Oxford lost last year's race between Putney and Mortlake by a length and a quarter.
They were made favourites for this year's event after Tuesday's weigh-in saw them ranked the second-heaviest crew ever, although their 12lb-per-man advantage has been reduced to 10lb after Monaghan's arrival.
The dark blues will still hope that is enough, especially with the strong headwind after the halfway point, which should favour the heavier crew.
Cox Nick Brodie returns for a second year, looking to gain revenge over his opposite number, Rebecca Dowbiggin, who is aiming to be the first woman to cox Cambridge to back-to-back wins.
Cambridge, who traditionally favour greater technical style over Oxford's brawn, will aim to make the most of their start, which looked cleaner than their rivals in training.
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7318164.stm)
noting that the records have Cambridge with a 79-73 lead and with odds of 7/4 I think it was a wise investment betting for the winning team this year
any Oxford men willing to try and prove me wrong :p
Gusts of up to 45 mph are expected, which will mean rough water through the second half of the course.
Bookmakers' odds of a sinking have shortened rapidly in the days leading up to the race, although it is 30 years since Cambridge were the last crew to sink mid-race.
Cambridge coach Duncan Holland's attempt for victory in his debut race in 2006 was ruined by his crew's poor response to rough conditions.
But the light blue boat is fitted with three water pumps this year and the crew have been well briefed.
Holland explained: "We have a playbook - tactics, situations, scenarios.
Cambridge suffered a major blow on Wednesday when stroke Shane O'Mara was ruled out on medical grounds, forcing them to move Ryan Monaghan from the reserve crew into the crucial seat.
But Oxford's Bowden said: "If we lost a guy we'd still believe that we could go and win the race.
"So why should we think that Cambridge will stop believing they can win?" (fighting words!)
Oxford lost last year's race between Putney and Mortlake by a length and a quarter.
They were made favourites for this year's event after Tuesday's weigh-in saw them ranked the second-heaviest crew ever, although their 12lb-per-man advantage has been reduced to 10lb after Monaghan's arrival.
The dark blues will still hope that is enough, especially with the strong headwind after the halfway point, which should favour the heavier crew.
Cox Nick Brodie returns for a second year, looking to gain revenge over his opposite number, Rebecca Dowbiggin, who is aiming to be the first woman to cox Cambridge to back-to-back wins.
Cambridge, who traditionally favour greater technical style over Oxford's brawn, will aim to make the most of their start, which looked cleaner than their rivals in training.
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7318164.stm)
noting that the records have Cambridge with a 79-73 lead and with odds of 7/4 I think it was a wise investment betting for the winning team this year
any Oxford men willing to try and prove me wrong :p