WHY CAMBRIDGE WINS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4211, 4 June 1935, Page 7

WHY CAMBRIDGE WINS

SUCCESS IN BOAT RACE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OXFORD STANDARD From the comments received by annual on the Oxford and Cambridge boat race, Oxford will have to alter its methods if it is to stop the Light Blues’ long run of success (says an Australian writer). . Oxford had the conditions winch suited it best in the recent race. It had the advantage of weight- and strength; and, taking the eight, man to man, was a better crew; but it lacked cohesion, watermanship, and, above all, the will to win. After all the excitement of the long period of preparation the race itself was considered to be a very tame affair. Almost from the first stroke it was plain that Cambridge had little to fear from what had been acclaimed- as the best Oxford crew of recent years. rso one would pretend that this year s Cambridge crew was better than last year’s; if anything, it was below the

average. The superiority over Oxford is demonstrated year after year. Whenever the university crews meet Cambridge is expected to win as a matter of course. Cambridge is full of entliusiastie, hard-working oarsmen ; while at Oxford the really enthusiastic oarsmen arc a mere handful. Last year Cambridge had 17 crews competing in the Head of the River event against Oxford’s two, gaining experience in watermanship under tideway conditions and in racing over a four and a-quarter mile course. Colleges like Jesus and Pembroke are formidable competitors to the London and Thames Clubs at Henlev, with no Oxford boat anywhere near them. Oxford might enjoy just as much success ns Cambridge if its oarsmen were as keen. The general opinion is that the weakness of Oxford’s post-war rowing is the tendency to a rigid and jerky stroke, cheeking the run, and bouncing the boat up and down, instead of moving it along. Mr Hay Thomas and Mr FscoVnbc, the two Cambridge coaches, went across this year to coach Oxford, and it is hoped that they will continue with their cflorts to raise the level of Oxford oarsmanship.