Boat Race 2015

Following on from the previous post, and continuing with the theme of rowing, the annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs took place last Saturday, 11^th April. It was a double whammy for Oxford, for both the women’s and men’s teams won against their rivals. History was made, because for the first time since the inauguration of the women’s races, both the men’s and women’s teams raced on the Thames on the same day.

What interested me was the distinct contrast between the efficiency of the boats being rowed and the motorised vessels following in their wakes. The lean, low and long* rowing eights left very little wake; any turbulence came from their asymmetrical sweep oars. Being rowed at an average speed of about 15 mph they clove through the water, whereas the motorized vessels in pursuit threw up enormous washes causing havoc to moored boats either side of the river.

I felt for the men’s Cambridge team, because the Oxford crew were the more powerful. As the distance lengthened between the boats I became concerned as the pursuing flotilla appeared to get closer and closer to the straggler. I did not understand the water flow dynamics, and I couldn’t work out if the Cambridge boat was having a helping hand by being pushed forwards by the combined thrust of the bow waves of the following boats, or if she was being drawn back by the combined flow of water from the propellers.

*17.63 x 0.65 metres Empacher Shells: http://www.empacher.co.uk/

Links

Race Commentary – Men’s and Women’s

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boat-race/11520310/The-Boat-Race-2015-Oxford-v-Cambridge-live.html

Boat Race 2015: Oxford women humiliate Cambridge by winning first event held on same day as the men

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boat-race/11520123/Boat-Race-2015-Oxford-women-humiliate-Cambridge-by-winning-first-event-held-on-same-day-as-the-men.html

Boat Races 2015

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boat-race/

Boat Race 2015: Oxford vs. Cambridge Result and Reaction

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2427319-boat-race-2015-oxford-vs-cambridge-result-and-reaction

The Boat Race (Official Site)

http://theboatraces.org/

Boat Race 2015: Oxford University Women's team rescued from the River Thames after sinking in choppy waters

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boat-race-2015-oxford-university-womens-team-rescued-from-the-river-thames-after-sinking-in-choppy-waters-10152077.html# 

The Boat Race

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boat_Race

High Performance Rowing

http://highperformancerowing.net/hprresources/

British Rowing

http://www.britishrowing.org/

Rowing Eight with Sweep Oars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_(rowing)

Sweep Rowing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweep_(rowing) 

Sweep Eight Rowing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxed_eight

Racing Shell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_shell

Empacher Shells

http://www.empacher.co.uk/ 

Other Manufacturers of Racing Shells

Pocock Racing Shells

http://www.pocock.com/racing-shell-models/rowing-buyers-guide/

Carl Douglas Racing Shells

http://www.carldouglasrowing.com/

Janousek and Stampfli

http://janousekandstampfli.com/ 

Phoenix Racing

http://www.phoenixracing.co/

Swift Racing Boats

http://www.rowingcentre.co.uk/srb_shapes.htm

Vespoli 8s

https://www.vespoli.com/boats/eights.php