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The Boat Race: 7th April 2012
Longer days and warmer temperatures mean that Spring is on the way, but the arrival of The Boat Race is a firm indicator that the summer Sporting Season is about to get underway again, and will be held this year on Saturday 7th April at 2.15pm.
One of the oldest events in the sporting calendar, the first Boat Race took place in 1829, and results remain surprisingly close, with the Oxford team having 76 wins, and Cambridge having 80 wins. This year?s contest looks set to be no exception, with an older and more experienced Oxford team hoping to close the gap and conquer the younger but heavier Cambridge crew.
Squads commence training in the September of the previous year, peaking at up to 3 sessions daily in the weeks close to race date, and fitter modern teams have managed to shave at least 10 minutes off some of the original times, the fastest recorded in 1998 at 16mins 19 secs. Unsurprisingly, passions run extremely high, making this one of the most infectious spectator events in the English calendar, and an absolute must see date for the diary.
One of the few events still broadcast by the BBC and with additional TV screens erected close to Hammersmith and also Putney Bridge it is easy to catch the result, but there is nothing better than being at the river bank to soak up the atmosphere. This stretch has some excellent watering holes to set you up with an early lunch and a pint, and whilst there won?t be a spare inch of space, the sense of occasion ensures a truly fantastic Saturday afternoon?s entertainment.
For more details visit The Boat Race.
