ROWING

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12887, 13 June 1936, Page 11

ROWING

CAMBRIDGE MUCH TOO GOOD OXONIANS FADE OUT * To explain Cambridge’s 13th consecutive victory in the .inter-varsity boat race on the Thames, says ttiu English expert, it is quite nil necessary to dig up any of the hardy annual arguments about the .shortcomings of Oxford rowing. Closely reasoned theories have been put forward '.’ii the past few years to show that the Cantab’s string of successes have sapped Oxford’s “will to win," that “wet-bobs” are less enthusiastic at Oxford than they, are at Cambridge, that the Dark Blues’ coaching system its inferior, and that they can never possibly win until they a’dopt swivel rowlocks in place of the fixed “gates” to which they cling so tenaciously. Well, it’s, all very interesting. But as far as this year’s race is concerned., wo can just forget it. For there is one reason, a very simple one—why. Oxford’s* crew was five lengths behind at the finish.

Compressed into a single word- that reason: is—Cambridge. Tho Cantabs, were the heaviest crew. ever put on the river in the 107-year history of the race. They were muscularly the most powerful boatload of Blues ,that I have ever seen. Every man was a. neat, versatile waterman, happy in any, position, .experienced in hard competition ‘and;wise in racing strategy. And the e'ght were welded together in exceptionally fine control of their boat. Purists might argue that in practice the Cantabs were “short” in the water, sacrificing length of stroke to speed’ of striking.. In the race itself this fault did not emerge. They rowed as if absolutely unconcerned by the great pressure put upon them by Oxfords in the first,two miles. For that distance: the Dark Blues were a shade in front, sometimes a canvas-length, usually .less.

While they were fresh the. Oxonians' looked' as; good a crew as. Cambridge, but when both, eights were tired, then all the Cantabs,’ greater .aissets.. of weight, strength, watermanship, and strategy and collective boat control told their tale. Because the Dark Blues fought vary 'gallantly, to the last stroke against a superior..crow, they were only 17 seconds—about five lengths—behind afcithe finish. F'or which they'deserve high praise.

• Oxford, 1936, wasi emphatically a. fine crew, a real credit to the varsity’® rowing. Cambridge was 1 a> super-production from a centre which, .of recent years bass been consistently rich in talent. The relatively slow time for the 41 miles course—2lmin. Gar-os.—is ■ explained by the pi-ova iling’coiid:”of wind and water.