"It doesn't matter which crew I'm in"

Wednesday 23rd March 2005
Down on the Tideway this week you could be mistaken for thinking that you were seeing double. At times, there appear to be not two but four Blue Boats out on the water. With Olympic and international oarsmen two a penny at Oxford and Cambridge this year, the reserve crews (Isis and Goldie respectively) between them boast one senior international and six U23 athletes. An onlooker today commented, "I've seen far worse Blue Boats than that" as he watched Isis comfortably rating 36 past the Black Buoy. Indeed at Oxford the stern three of the 2004 Blue Boat, Colin Smith, Henry Morris and David Livingston, found themselves relegated to stern three of this year's Isis crew. At the weigh-in, ITV's new race commentator Peter Drury introduced the reserve crews as "the guys that have every right to begin their sentences with 'In any other year...' "
The reserve race is treated like the poor relation to the main Boat Race, but the 18 rowers and coxes involved have undergone exactly the same regime as the Blue Boat counterparts and their aim remains the same. "I just want to beat Cambridge", Morris announced emphatically. The one-on-one grudge match does not seem to have lost its importance to the double Blue and now double Isis oarsman. "When you cross the line it really doesn't matter which crew you are in, the feelings are the same. If you win you're elated and if you lose, well it's the worst feeling in the world."
With such experienced crews the race that is traditionally the curtain-raiser could be a spectacle in itself. With CUBC President Andrew Shannon on board Goldie and the tenacious Colin Smith stroking Isis, neither crew is likely to give way early on. Oxford coach Jonny Singfield thinks " it could be one of the fastest races ever." The course record course record of 1999 stands at 16:58 and lowering that mark must surely be a tempting carrot to the oarsmen, although they are sadly dependent on favourable winds and tide.
Inevitably though, the reserve crews carry with them some emotional angst. The athletes become seen as 'second best' and dreams of their Blue fall by the wayside. As Smith admitted, "it has been really tough to go from stroking the Blue Boat to stroking Isis, but from the moment Dave, Henry and I were selected into Isis we made a pact to commit to it." Light Blue Shannon had to accept the challenge from Oxford but then not name himself in the crew to face the Dark Blues; a situation Boat Race Presidents pray not to face. But the professionalism of the young oarsmen is admirable. Shannon now just can't wait "to get out there" and his coach Donald Legget described him as "impressively philosophical." The selection setback seems to have only strengthened Smith's resolve; he resolutely confirmed he would be back in the Oxford squad next year.

This year the 41st reserve race will be raced at 14:35 on Easter Sunday (27th March 2005).

Results and times
For the past seven years the winner has alternated between the two camps with Isis taking the honours last year. It is a common occurrence for the reserve crews to beat the time of the Blue Boats: on average they are thirty seconds faster. Much to Isis and Goldie's disappointment this can largely be explained by the tide, as the water is moving faster when they take to the course.

Isis-Goldie course record: 16.58 Goldie 1999

Course intermediate records - set by the Blue Boats, as Isis-Goldie intermediates are not always recorded.

University Stone

to Mile Post 3:31
3:31 Oxford 1978
Cambridge 1993

to Hammersmith Bridge 6.20 Cambridge 1998

to Chiswick Steps 9.56 Cambridge 1998

to Barnes Bridge 13.32 Cambridge 1998

Mile Post

to Hammersmith Bridge 2.45.5 Oxford 2002

to Chiswick Steps 6.23 Cambridge 1998

to Barnes Bridge 9.57 Cambridge 1998

to Finish 12.46 Cambridge 1998

Hammersmith Bridge

to Chiswick Steps 3.36 Cambridge 1998

to Barnes Bridge 7.12 Cambridge 1998

to Finish 9.56 Cambridge 1998

Chiswick Steps

to Barnes Bridge 3.55
3:55 Cambridge 1996
Cambridge 1998

to Finish 6.23 Cambridge 1998

Barnes Bridge

to Finish 2.46 Oxford 1984

Isis-Goldie course record:	16.58	Goldie 1999
Course intermediate records - set by the Blue Boats, as Isis-Goldie intermediates are not always recorded.
University Stone
to Mile Post	3:31 3:31	Oxford 1978 Cambridge 1993
to Hammersmith Bridge	6.20	Cambridge 1998
to Chiswick Steps	9.56	Cambridge 1998
to Barnes Bridge	13.32	Cambridge 1998
Mile Post
to Hammersmith Bridge	2.45.5	Oxford 2002
to Chiswick Steps	6.23	Cambridge 1998
to Barnes Bridge	9.57	Cambridge 1998
to Finish	12.46	Cambridge 1998
Hammersmith Bridge
to Chiswick Steps	3.36	Cambridge 1998
to Barnes Bridge	7.12	Cambridge 1998
to Finish	9.56	Cambridge 1998
Chiswick Steps
to Barnes Bridge	3.55 3:55	Cambridge 1996 Cambridge 1998
to Finish	6.23	Cambridge 1998
Barnes Bridge
to Finish	2.46	Oxford 1984