Shopping Bag: 0 itemsThe Xchanging Boat Race
The Boat Race
The Boat Race, the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race, the Oxbridge Boat Race, the Varsity Boat Race…whatever you like to call it, its position in the British Sporting and Social Calendar remains unique. The ‘Corinthian Spirit’, lost in so many other sports, is personified in the most famous river race of them all, making it a truly British institution.
In line with Hackett’s propensity to provide clothing for every occasion throughout the year, sporting or otherwise, it is a natural fit for Hackett to be an Official Clothing Supplier for The Xchanging Boat Race for the 3rd year
The 2010 Boat Race
So, third year in, what have we learnt thus far?, Hackett always has a great lunch at the London Rowing Club, The Dukes Head is always rammed (before and after the race) and...oh yeah, Oxford have always won.
This year saw the traditional assortment of Hackett guests being entertained at the laudable London Rowing Club, that included members of the Spanish and Swiss press, JH and myself obviously, some members of the LRC and the now, all-important social networking gang...well, Rowan and her husband Anthony anyway. The shops would also be supporting Hackett’s involvement in the race with the staff kitted out in Oxford & Cambridge tops while the ‘Battle of the Blues’ shop windows were always going to impress onlookers.
The weather experts had deemed today to be a bit of a wash-out, forcing the bookies to entertain a slashing of the odds on one of the boats sinking! (always a popular bet), but it turned out to be quite pleasant for spectators and rowers alike. As we retired to the Trophy Room of the LRC for a late lunch it wasn’t long before we were all being robbed in turn of £2 from the venerable ‘Sweepstake Man’, an obvious committee member doing his bit for the Club he loves.
Greeting everybody at lunch was a thoughtfully put together ‘Goody Bag’ , that contained a woollen hat embellished with either Oxford or Cambridge. It was here that people then had to decide which side they were on; “I’ve been to Cambridge more than Oxford”, “My friend’s son goes to Cambridge”, “I prefer the navy to that yukey blue” “the Cambridge crew have better legs”...etc. The way my Mum and Dad always told me while growing up was that, whoever won it the year you were born, became your ‘team’ (unless you actually went to one of the universities of course). For many years this was how I thought everybody decided...apparently not, it must be just a SE London thing. However, everybody I tell loves the idea and can’t wait to look up the history to find out ‘who they are’...go on have a look, you know you want to!
30 minutes before the race people start to filter out of the pubs to take their positions along the bank the atmosphere really starts to build and our very own Social networking bods go into overdrive, clogging up cyberspace with twittering, blogging, facebooking? etc (check out the relative sites with great pics on the Facebook site and others). During all this off go Goldie and Isis in the precursor race, with both crews focused not on “what might have been” but on stroke rates and of course, winning.
Out on the Hackett balcony people jostle for a front spot and before you know it the race has past amongst roars of “come on Oxford” or, you guessed it “come on Cambridge”, no football type songs or chants here...there isn’t time!
The rest of the race takes place on the various TV’s dotted around the various pubs, Rowing Clubs and for this year, a giant screen at the start. An early lead from Oxford and my commentary went something like this:
“It’s Oxford’s, they look stronger already”
“Great gamble from Oxford to take the Surrey side”
“No...no, wait...Cambridge are holding them on the Surrey bend!”
“Cambridge are catching up!”
“It’s all Cambridge now by Barnes Bridge”
“Cambridge win by a length or so, I knew they would, it was never in doubt”
“What a great Race...now, where’s my beer and who won the sweepstake?”
Another good year for the race, another good year for Hackett at the race with both crews looking great in their official fleeces and jackets.
Is there is more overtaking in the Boat Race than in F1?, I think we’ll have to adjourn to the Dukes Head to discuss, see you next year.
To buy Boat Race clothing and accessories click here
To find out more about the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race visit the official website of The Boat Race click here
