UNIVERSITY ROWING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 11

UNIVERSITY ROWING

SUCCESS OF OXFORD CREW A TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY The Oxford University crew proved conclusively that the victory it gained jn the boat raco last year—its first win sinco 1923 —was 110 "fluke," says tho rowing correspondent of the Obsefvcr. It-was'the 90th race of the series, sttfrted in 1829, when Oxford won tho first raoo v which was rowed at Henley. This year's victory was Oxford's forty-* second, but Cambridge, thanks to its sploudid run of successes front 1924 to 1936, has won 47 times, tho other race resulting in a dead-lioat, Oxford's success cap bo described as a victory of orthodoxy, plus swivel rowlocks, over the style of rowing that-has become known as "Fairbainpsin." It was a victory for length and swing, and ouco again demonstrated the fact that tho "Jesus" style can make little headway against a head wind and through rough water. This has been proved over and over again in racing at Henley, and now has received yet further proof of the tideway.

It was a magnificent race, and tho Cambridge crew deserves credit for tho fight it made, under conditions, totally foreign to what it would have desired. Although it received a terrific buffeting from the wind and water, it never gayo up and finished in excellent style. The time of 20m 31s taken by Oxford for tho four and a-linlf miles course was very good under tho conditions, for it was a wonder at times how tho boats kept afloat.