Forums
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
alun2005
11 Apr 15 18:34
Joined:
Date Joined: 11 Jan 02
| Topic/replies: 41,336 | Blogger: alun2005's blog
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.
Pause Switch to Standard View Why oh why didn't Cambridge row in a...
Show More
Loading...
Report curious-cat April 12, 2015 6:52 AM BST
yes .......... you must have been fed up with resitting your first year. Devil
Report Jack Hacksaw April 12, 2015 8:04 AM BST
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.
Report Aunty Post April 12, 2015 10:06 AM BST
I think that in boating terms it is called "Tacking" so that they catch the wind better.

Unfortunately the cox forgot that they don't have any sails!
Report alun2005 April 12, 2015 12:06 PM BST
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.
Report naydam April 12, 2015 12:56 PM BST
I would back the Jihadista if it wasn't for afternoon prayers...they'll have to turn it to face Mecca right in the middle of the race!
Report kincsem April 12, 2015 2:25 PM BST
I think you have to follow a curvey line when rowing the Thames.  If you go in a straight line you have to go overland.  Rowing on land is not as fast.
Report flushgordon1 April 13, 2015 9:27 AM BST
posh punts.
Post Your Reply
<CTRL+Enter> to submit
Please login to post a reply.

Wonder

Instance ID: 13539
www.betfair.com