Sunday, April 8, 2007

The Boat Race

It was boat race day yesterday.

It was a lovely sunny spring day and the start, just round the corner from where I live, was absolutely packed. Putney Bridge and both banks heaved with not just thousands but probably hundreds of thousands.

Its amazing that a university level two contestant race for a minority sport that takes less than 20 minutes can bring so many out to watch. Ok, some will be students or ex-students. I was standing by what looked like recent graduates shouting support for my old uni, Cambridge, which made me feel at home.

I think its the combination of tradition with the competitiveness and closeness of the race. It really is open as to who will win. And as both crews were packed with internationals it was a fiercely fought all the way to Chiswick.

And Cambridge won!

Living by the river is wonderful....