Just been looking at the BBC's tech facility that shows the path the boats took in the race.
Oxford (winners) took a strange curvy line which seemed to follow the curve of the river.
Cambridge (2nd place) inexplicably chose to shadow them, taking much the same curvy path. The facility showed clearly that rowing in straight lines would have taken them from start to finish in the shortest distance, probably securing them a win by around 2 minutes.
Ye Gods, where were the mathematicians and geometry students at the colleges? Utter negligence, and it's to be hoped there's no repeat of this nonsense next year.
It's quite clear that an Oxbridge education is no longer the preserve of the elite scholars. I'm glad I'm not a student there any more.
Probably to do with the rudimentary steering mechanism. They simply can't steer accurately enough to risk going near to the river bank. They should consider putting a proper steering wheel on board. Getting a top F1 driver as cox could improve their chances as they would have much better idea of the racing line.
Also, as anyone knows, the river runs faster in the middle rather than the sides, so by taking a route down the middle of the river, they are rowing against a stronger current. Fools.
These Oxbridge types might have big brains, but no common sense.
My metalwork teacher was right when he advised me against applying to go there.
Probably to do with the rudimentary steering mechanism. They simply can't steer accurately enough to risk going near to the river bank. They should consider putting a proper steering wheel on board. Getting a top F1 driver as cox could improve the
The sooner they introduce Promotion/Relegation into this event the better. These two have had it their own way since time immemorial, and it's now time to smash the cosy cartel and let some of the red-brick educational establishments compete.
Oxford as World Champions deserve to be seeded automatically into next year's final, a la Joe Davis in days of yore. The rest of Britain's Higher Education and Media Studies facilities should take part in a knockout tournament to find the other finalist. If it's good enough for University Challenge it should be good enough for the World Boat Race Championships as well.
I am sure that all the Betfair Forum progressives (and maybe Leonard Henry too) would agree there should also be some Enforced Diversity in this event. The infamous phrase "hideously white, male and middle-class" came to mind yesterday. Get some of the most Vibrant students in the land into those boats, if necessary at gunpoint.
There must be no part of Britain that remains untouched by Diversity (well, apart from that 'street-dancing' group called Diversity of course), and when Ed Miliband sweeps to power next month I'm sure there won't be.
My prediction for next year's final : Oxford to beat High Wycombe College of Jihadism and Peace-Loving Studies by around 4 lengths.
The sooner they introduce Promotion/Relegation into this event the better. These two have had it their own way since time immemorial, and it's now time to smash the cosy cartel and let some of the red-brick educational establishments compete. Oxford